Taş, Head of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Department of the Council of Higher Education: “There is no need to wait for an emergency situation in order to donate blood”

April 30, 2026

A blood donation stand set up by the Turkish Red Crescent on the campus of the Council of Higher Education attracted significant interest from academic and administrative staff throughout the day. While blood donations were collected at the stand, Red Crescent teams also carried out awareness and information activities.

Healthcare personnel working at the stand conducted the necessary checks before the donation process and offered refreshments to donors in the resting areas afterward. As part of the event, information was also provided about stem cell donation, and applications were received from volunteers wishing to register.

Şefik Taş, Head of the Administrative and Financial Affairs Department of the Council of Higher Education, emphasized the importance of donating blood regularly, stating: “There is no need to wait for an emergency in order to donate blood. The Red Crescent already stores blood properly. Sometimes unexpected needs arise. People need to become regular blood donors. It should never be forgotten that anyone may one day need blood. Donating blood is also very beneficial for one’s health, while at the same time being a humanitarian act. It is something that should become a habit.”

- “I feel great”

One of the Council of Higher Education employees, Hümeyra Poyraz, stated that she felt quite good after donating blood, saying: “I had always wanted to donate blood. Previously, I had not been eligible because my blood values were insufficient, but this time I was eligible and donated. I feel great. It makes a real difference for those in need, while offering great health benefits for the donor.”

Another volunteer, Hakkı Budak, encouraged everyone to donate blood, saying: “This is my 16th blood donation. If there is nothing else we can do, at the very least we would like to help people by donating blood.”

One of the donors, Nihat Çelik, stated that he is a regular blood donor.

Çelik said: “The last time I was going to donate blood was in December 2025, but I could not donate because my blood values were low. My values are good right now. I am able to donate blood, and I recommend it to everyone. I believe it is good for your health. That is why I recommend it. In this way, the needs of people requiring blood can be met.”

- “The participation rate at the Council of Higher Education is high; everything is going great”

Dr. Göksenin Aktulay, a physician with the Turkish Red Crescent team, stated that blood donation rates vary depending on the location, saying: “Thankfully, people come forward and donate blood during disasters and earthquakes, but ideally we would like to see regular donations. That habit has not yet fully developed, but Ankara is excelling in this field. Our blood collection rate in the Ankara region is high. Today we are at the Council of Higher Education, and the level of blood donation here is also high.”

- Turkish Red Crescent thanks the Council of Higher Education

Explaining that there is nothing to fear about donating blood, Aktulay said: “We already check all the necessary values before blood donation. First-time donors sometimes feel anxious — fear of needles, fear of fainting, and similar concerns. Because of this, they may experience some difficulties, but after the first time they quickly get used to it. For example, one of the donors who came earlier had donated blood 26 times, and another had donated 19 times. They continue donating regularly. The more you donate, the easier it becomes. Please come and donate blood, because when you need blood and cannot find it, that is when you truly realize how difficult the situation can be. In fact, many regular donors started donating after experiencing such situations themselves, thinking, ‘Since this happened to me, I do not want anyone else to go through the same thing.’ There are also health benefits to donating blood.”

Aktulay also expressed appreciation for the warm welcome and positive working environment at the Council of Higher Education and thanked everyone who contributed to the organization of the event.