People urged to donate blood to save lives.

SWAT -- Youth activists from different villages have asked people to donate blood to save the lives of thalassaemia patients in Swat.

They said this at a blood donation camp in Balogram village where many young people donated blood for thalassaemia patients in Malakand division. Chinar Foundation Balogram in collaboration with Al-Fajar Foundation Swat organised the camp.

The organisers said that the number of thalassaemia patients was higher in Malakand division as compared to other parts of the country where regular blood donation was required.

'The ratio of thalassaemia patients in the entire Malakand division is higher. The main cause of the illness is inter-family marriages. We have been working to raise awareness among people to conduct blood test of both the life partners before their wedding. We also motivate youth to donate blood for the patients of thalassaemia. Currently, we provide blood to more than 400 children suffering from thalassaemia,' Rahman Ali Sayil, administrator of Al-Fajar Foundation, told Dawn.

Youth from Balogram village said that they regularly organised blood donation camp. 'Majority of our members are young educated persons from the surrounding areas.

They donate blood to...