Campaign Launched Targeted at Muslims
Following the success of the Muslims Give Blood campaign (MGB) in 2013 and 2014, the annual awareness campaign returns for 2015 with bigger plans on a national scale across seven major UK cities, including London, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Brighton and Coventry. This year the campaign which began in January will be extended until just after July 2015 and will include live NHS blood donation sessions at major Mosques in London.
The 2013 Muslims Give Blood campaign was a tremendous success on so many levels breaking records in participation, recognition and impacting the lives of so many people. It was the first time this type of campaign was carried out by Young Planners and the event reached capacity of a grand total of 1,539 registries and 2,086 social media followers. The MGB team produced an effective and comprehensive marketing plan that was executed on a consistent basis. The campaign received more media and news coverage than any other similar campaign with two BBC radio interviews, an NHS press release and a BBC news article. Not forgetting nearly thirty national and international public figure endorsements.
The 2014 campaign was a successful expansion of the 2013 campaign in that more cities outside
of London were targeted in an effort to make this campaign nationwide. We were able to register approximately 5,000 blood donors and achieved over 2,500 social media followers. We again received local and national media coverage and received endorsements from UK wide Islamic organisations such as MCB, MAB, Regents Park Mosque and East London mosque.
The Campaign aims are as follows:
Raise awareness of the virtues of giving blood. Collecting blood donor pledges – 10,000 targeted. Actual Blood Donation session at a mosque.
The MGB campaign is an opportunity for the Muslim community to showcase this participation for the general good of the UK society. Giving blood is also a virtuous act for Muslims as giving blood saves and improves lives. Raising awareness of giving blood creates a sense of obligation among Muslims as it is stated in the Quran: “And if any one saved a life, it would be as if he saved the life of all mankind.” (Al Quran: Surah Al-Ma’dah: 32).
Unfortunately, the Muslims living In Britain today are not well acquainted with the idea of donating blood. The BBC and The Guardian have both written articles about the lack of ethnic minorities supporting blood donations. Although generosity is a trait given to Muslim belief and culture, it goes back to the lack of awareness. This campaign will be of great benefit to patients with cancer, for women following childbirth, in emergency departments and for routine operations. It will also benefit those who await routine transfusion to those with blood diseases such as sickle cell anemia.
For more information: www.muslimsgiveblood.co.uk
