Cornerstone Real Estate team to participate in World Blood Donor Day

The UAE are the hosting country for 2008 and as such are the first Arab country to do so in the five year history of World Blood Donor Day. In support of the UAE's efforts, each of the Cornerstone team members, who are able, will give blood to the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank and in doing so, will save lives across the region. The World Blood Donor Day will be commemorated on June 14 this year to create wider awareness of the need for safe blood for transfusion.

The Blood Donor Day is jointly coordinated by the World Health Organisation, The International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies, The International Federation of Blood Donor Organisations and The International Society of Blood Transfusion.

Millions of people owe their lives to people who donate their blood freely and without any reward. However, the overwhelming majority of the world's population do not have access to safe blood. Over 80 million units of blood are donated every year, but only 38% are collected in developing countries where 82% of the global population live, according to estimates cited by the official website of the World Blood Donor Day.

"It is a part of our role in the community to help those in need and donating blood is a great way to do that," explained Cornerstone CEO Ziad Bushnaq.

"The aim of World Blood Day is to raises awareness of the need for safe blood around the world and encourages eligible donors to donate more regularly. This year the UAE are being honoured by hosting this globally recognised day due to our high levels of medical advancements and the standards of medicine practised in the region. We hope that the UAE community as a whole will come together on this day," Bushnaq further added.

The clinical demand for blood is rising throughout the world to support advancements in medical and surgical procedures. Though the pattern of blood usage varies in different countries, there is still a great need for it in the treatment of complications during pregnancy and childbirth and severe childhood anaemia. In 2008, the theme of World Blood Donor Day will be "Giving Blood Regularly" to support national blood donor programmes in building a stable base of voluntary unpaid donors who make a long term commitment to blood donation, hence, "Many Happy Returns".

Cornerstone are also planning on participating in the support of local educational systems by launching their Cornerstone Scholarship Program which sees well-performing students rewarded with full scholarships to the best schools and universities in the region. They have selected those charities that they believe assist in the most crucial areas of need in the region and will impact the benefactors for life.