Majorite Jean de Dieu Rwagasore was in the second year of secondary in 1991, when he began donating blood. He was a Red Cross representative at his school in Karongi District. “As a young Christian, I was motivated by the desire to help others and save lives,” 52-year-old Rwagasore told The New Times. “This sense of compassion and service inspired me to become a blood donor.” ALSO READ: How a lifeline for hospital blood supply was built Rwagasore has remained a regular donor and is now a campaigner encouraging more people to donate blood. How it all started Before donating, Rwagasore received guidance on the process. Prospective donors are required to complete a form containing personal and medical information to determine whether they are eligible to donate safely. During screening, medical professionals asked about his age, weight, medical history, medication use, and lifestyle factors that could affect the safety of donated blood, including drug use, sexual behaviour, and other health-related issues. “These questions are important to ensure the well-being of both the donor and the recipient. There are two main types of blood donation,” he explains. “Whole blood donation can be done up to four times a year. There is also apheresis donation, which uses a machine to collect specific blood components and can be done about twice a month, depending on medical guidelines and eligibility requirements.” Rwagasore, who now lives in Kigali, said he has encouraged others to become blood donors because donating blood is a simple but powerful act that saves lives. “Through awareness and encouragement, many people have embraced blood donation. Today, we organise blood donation events at ADEPR Church Kimihurura, which shows the positive impact of these efforts within our community.” Blood Donor Day This year's World Blood Donor Day 2026 will be observed on Sunday, June 14, under the global theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” The annual observance celebrates voluntary, unpaid donors and raises awareness about the continuous need for safe blood and blood products. Dr. Thomas Muyombo, Blood Transfusion Division Manager at Rwanda Biomedical Centre (RBC), said blood supply coverage has improved from about 47 percent to around 99.7 percent over the past three years. He noted that annual blood collection has increased from about 45,000 units to around 92,000 units over the past eight years, with nearly the same workforce. Rwanda is now among a small group of African countries meeting the highest blood safety standards, alongside Namibia and parts of Tanzania. Who is eligible to donate? “To donate, a person must be healthy, aged between 18 and 60 years, and weigh at least 50 kilograms. They must be free from infections such as HIV, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis,” Muyombo said. “People with conditions such as asthma, heart disease, hypertension, and kidney disease are assessed individually before donation, with additional screening carried out to ensure safety.” Blood donation is voluntary and does not bind anyone for life. Donors can choose to stop at any time without any consequences, Muyombo added.
