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Martha Leboho Correspondent
The National Blood Service Zimbabwe is targeting 740 units of blood from registered members of the Pledge 25 Club in the Masvingo Province ahead of the festive season.

This emerged during the “Be the One Campaign” launched in Masvingo recently.

The campaign was initiated by Real Madrid and Portuguese soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo who is a well-known blood donor.

The two-day campaign raised 280 units of blood from the members and 18 members were turned down due to low iron levels in their blood or for being underweight.

Speaking at the event NBSZ planning and recruitment officer Mr Michael Chakoma urged ordinary people to also donate blood ahead of the festive season.

“We are targeting 740 units of blood from our registered members from the Pledge 25 club, and also others from adult walk-in donors,” he said.

“Last year we got 920 units of blood from members and non-members during the same period.”

Pledge 25 Club was initiated in 1994 in Masvingo Province and has spread to 65 other countries in the world.

The club consists of youths between 16 and 30 years with members pledging to donate blood 25 times before the age of 30.

Female members are expected to donate blood three times a year while their male counterparts are expected to do so four times a year.

“The campaign is running in the province till December 18 this year and we are targeting our members from Mashava, Triangle, Zaka, Hippo Valley, Chivi and Chiredzi,” said Mr Chakona.

“Seventy-five percent of our blood is from school-based blood donors and the rest is from adult walk-in donors, and we are partnering with the Rotaract Club from Masvingo and Lion’s Club from Triangle, they are also our registered blood donors.”