Basra’s Ashura blood drive collects 200 units in first four hours

BASRA — An annual Ashura blood donation campaign in Basra collected more than 200 units in its first four hours Friday, organizers said, voicing hope this year’s drive would beat last year’s total.

The campaign, in its 14th year, is run by Basra’s Central Blood Bank with the Shia volunteer groups Activists in the Love of Hussein and Basra Echo. Donation centers received more than 200 donors between 8 a.m. and noon, with organizers expecting to surpass the 500 units collected over 12 hours last year. The drive aims to strengthen the governorate’s reserves and secure rare blood types needed to treat patients.

Hussein al-Jawhar of Activists in the Love of Hussein said volunteers had supported the campaign for 14 consecutive years, helping donors before and after they give. “We provide logistical support to donors, including appropriate food and monitoring their health after the donation to help prevent fatigue or dizziness,” he said, adding that participation had grown each year.

Central Blood Bank Director Zainab Raad al-Azzawi said the campaign marks the anniversary of the death of Imam Hussein, commemorated during Muharram. “The campaign aims to collect all blood types, particularly rare ones, to meet the growing needs of patients across the governorate,” she said.

Longtime donor Abu Ali al-Bazzouni, who said he has given blood regularly since 1998, encouraged others to take part. “If this blood remains in my body, it benefits no one,” he said. “But if I donate it, it can help save the life of someone in need.” He urged everyone eligible aged 18 and over to donate.

Muharram is the first month of the Islamic lunar calendar and, for Shia Muslims, a period of mourning for Imam Hussein, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, who was killed at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.