LAHORE : Marking World Blood Donor Day 2026, Dr Usman Ahmed, Head of Medical Oncology at Shaukat Khanum Cancer Hospital, called on the public to donate blood regularly, stressing that voluntary blood donation is a vital lifeline for patients battling serious illnesses and medical emergencies.
He said blood has no artificial substitute and remains indispensable for the treatment of cancer patients, individuals with thalassemia and severe anaemia, accident victims, women facing pregnancy-related complications, and patients undergoing major surgeries. Timely access to safe blood, he added, is often crucial in saving lives.
Dr Usman noted that cancer patients frequently require blood transfusions during treatment, as chemotherapy and certain medications can reduce blood cell and platelet counts. “Every blood donation brings hope and strength to our patients and supports their journey towards recovery,” he said.
Addressing common misconceptions, he said many people wrongly believe that blood donation causes lasting weakness or health problems. In reality, the human body naturally replenishes donated blood within a short period, while blood cells continue to regenerate. He added that donating blood at certified healthcare facilities is a safe process for healthy individuals.
He said advances in medical science and blood-screening procedures have made transfusions safer than ever, but the growing demand for blood can only be met through a strong culture of voluntary donation.
