Agreement between Safe Blood for Africa Foundation and Héma-Québec to support blood safety and blood donor program in Africa

Montréal, September 9, 2009 – Safe Blood for Africa Foundation (SBFA) and Héma-Québec are pleased to announce the signing of a formal agreement to support blood safety and blood donor programs in Africa. In particular, Héma-Québec offered these services to SBFA to expand their capacity to provide its expertise for greater reach to initiativesin francophone African countries.

Since 1999, SBFA has worked extensively to support blood safety and blood donor programs throughout Africa. Beginning in 2005, Héma-Québec began contributing to the Safe Blood for Africa Blood Safety Project in Africa by providing experts in the field of donor recruitment and marketing to assist in the project. «SBFA recognizes and appreciates what Héma-Québec has done to improve conditions and access to safe blood for the people of Africa» Jeff Busch, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of SBFA says.

«This agreement is based on our mutual vision to make a difference by ensuring that a safe and adequate blood is available to everyone in Africa. In this context, it is essential to offer training on social marketing, including informing, motivating and recruiting to continue to develop voluntary non-remunerated blood donation (VNRBD) programs» stated Dr. Francine Décary, President and Chief Executive Officer of Héma-Québec.

In addition, Héma-Québec’s will provide technical assistance and training for others projects.

To find out more about the Safe Blood for Africa Foundation and Héma-Québec, please visit www.safebloodforafrica.org and www.hema-quebec.qc.ca.

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