IRRUA – In a remarkable show of compassion, the National Association of Seadogs (NAS), popularly known as Pyrates Confraternity, celebrated Valentine’s Day by organising a blood donation exercise titled, “Valentine Blood Donation Drive.”
The initiative, aimed at saving lives and supporting the healthcare system, forms part of NAS’s social responsibility efforts.
The drive took place on Saturday, February 14, 2026, at the Irrua Specialist Teaching Hospital (ISTH) and was coordinated by the Titanic Deck and Aftashok Deck of the association.
NAS members, volunteers, and members of the public participated, opting to mark Valentine’s Day by donating blood, following awareness and sensitization campaigns conducted by the association in the lead-up to the event.
The President of Titanic Deck, Mr. Emmanuel Wemambu, said NAS deliberately moved away from the conventional exchange of flowers and cards, choosing instead to celebrate with a lasting gesture of love under the theme: “Be Someone’s Valentine – Donate Blood.”
He expressed delight that the message resonated widely, resulting in a well-coordinated drive and successful collection of blood, which he described as a “gift of life.”
Mr. Wemambu added that the initiative aligns with NAS’s core values of service to humanity, social justice, and community development, highlighting the association’s ongoing commitment to health advocacy and life-saving interventions.
Dr. Sunday Odianosen Otumu, Head of the Haematology Department at ISTH, commended NAS for the timely and impactful initiative.
He noted that voluntary blood donation is critical for emergency care, maternal health services, surgeries, and accident response, and encouraged ongoing collaboration to make the blood drive an annual event.
Participants were educated on the safety and benefits of voluntary blood donation, while pre-event awareness campaigns helped mobilise donors and address misconceptions surrounding the practice.
