2007 News Archive

Ambassador Kirby Donates Blood on World Blood Donor Day

June 14, 2007

Ambassador Michael Kirby is surrounded by media as he donates blood

In celebration of World Blood Donor Day, Ambassador Kirby, with Moldova’s Minister of Health, Ion Ababii, rolled up his sleeve and donated blood to raise awareness of the critical need for voluntary, unpaid blood donations in Moldova.  Voluntary, unpaid donors are the foundation of a safe blood supply, which is crucial to Moldova’s healthcare system and to the welfare of its citizens who need life-saving transfusions and medical services.  The U.S. government, through the U.S. Agency for International Development's (USAID) Preventing HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis B&C Project, is working to improve blood transfusion and blood product safety in Moldova.  The World Blood Donor Day event received wide coverage in Moldovan media and Ambassador Kirby was quoted as urging people to join him in donating blood.