The Head of Transfusion Medicine at the Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital has called for increased blood supply at the various health centers to save lives. Dr. Shirley Owusu-Ofori says Ghana can meet the demand for blood when two per cent of the entire population donates blood regularly. The World Health Organization indicates demand for blood increases each year by one per cent and supply also increases by the same margin. In Ghana, only 32 percent of donated blood comes from voluntary donors unlike elsewhere where voluntary donors contribute 100 per cent. Whilst paying tribute to voluntary donors for their selfless contributions, Dr. Owusu-Ofori called on all persons between 16 and 60 years to donate blood. “In Ashanti region, we celebrate Mr. Ali Mohammed, a voluntary donor with 62 donations to his credit. He is healthy and continues to donate”, Dr. Owusu-Ofori revealed. She was speaking at this year’s donor day celebrations in Kumasi under the theme ‘Every Blood Donor is a Hero’. Dr. Owusu-Ofori questioned what would have happened if there was no stored blood available at the hospitals. “What would have happened if there was no stored voluntary blood available?...Your guess is as good as mine. Thus voluntary blood donors are heroes to all kinds of people”. “The least said about ruptured ectopic pregnancies and post delivery bleeds the better. In like manner, patients with severe anaemia, burns and patients with fractured long bones”. The World Blood Day is celebrated globally to raise awareness on the need to safe blood and also appreciate donors. Jachie Pramso and Asanteman Senior High Schools emerged first and second respectively in a blood donation quiz competition organize to commemorate the day. They took away water dispensers, footballs, among others as prize. Dr Owusu-Ofori wants to see an increase in voluntary blood donation in the country. "Woefully 32 per cent of our annual blood collections in Ghana are from voluntary donors whereas in Europe and America blood donations are made of 100 per cent voluntary donations. The task ahead of Ghana is to steadily reach 100 per cent voluntary donation mark". Meanwhile, the National Blood Bank is encouraging voluntary blood donors especially second-cycle students to commit themselves more to the cause of giving blood to save lives. Under a special programme dubbed Club 25, the bank is targeting each member of a donor club to donate blood 25 times before age 25. The Pledge 25 Club system is expected to woo more of the youth, especially those in second-cycle schools.