Blood Donation Campaign Held at the State Duma

The donation campaign in support of blood donation was initiated by the State Duma Committee on Health Protection. First held in 2017, it has already become a cherished tradition for parliamentarians.

The event was conducted with the support of the Federal Medical-Biological Agency (FMBA). Donations were collected in a mobile blood collection complex on the premises of the State Duma. Before donating, all participants underwent the required preliminary medical examination and filled out a special questionnaire about their well-being and health condition.

Olga Eikhler, Head of the Blood Service and Extreme Medicine Directorate of FMBA Russia, emphasized the significance of the campaign and the important awareness-raising role played by State Duma deputies in promoting Russia’s donor movement:

"Holding a donation campaign at the State Duma is a crucial step in the development of Russia’s donor movement. When representatives of legislative authorities personally participate in blood donation, it not only increases trust in the donation system but also vividly demonstrates the social responsibility of government bodies to society. It is especially significant that the campaign brought together representatives of all political forces - this confirms that saving lives transcends political debates. Such initiatives substantially enhance our work, motivating new donors to join the movement. This is our shared mission - to make donation a way of life and ensure help for everyone in need."

This year’s donation campaign at the State Duma saw particularly high turnout. Sergey Leonov, Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection, noted:

"Thanks to FMBA Russia, we held a very important blood donation campaign right at the walls of the State Duma. This year, over 50 deputies participated. Through such high-profile campaigns, we remind all citizens that absolutely everyone has the opportunity to become a donor. This is important. We highly appreciate everyone who joins the ranks of donors each year - after all, even one person can give someone in need a chance at life. We sincerely believe this tradition will grow stronger because saving others is not just noble - it is the responsibility of each of us. Let me remind you that repeat volunteers donating blood, bone marrow, and stem cells can now receive the ‘Volunteer of Russia’ badge. Importantly, citizens with this badge are eligible for a range of social support measures. For example, they are entitled to priority access to government services, including medical care without waiting in line. Additionally, they receive preferential rights for enrolling their children in preschool and school institutions, as well as other social benefits."

Leonid Ogul, First Deputy Chairman of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection and Head of the Expert Council on Improving the Blood Service in the Russian Federation, highlighted that the committee, together with FMBA Russia, pays close attention to regulatory frameworks for blood and component donation, ensuring infection safety, implementing modern blood transfusion technologies, and promoting donation:

"We have passed a number of important laws to make our pharmaceuticals independent of imports and to develop Russia’s production of medicines and medical products from blood plasma. In this context, it is even more critical to attract more donors, retain experienced donors, and find new ways to motivate them. That is why we passed a bill equating donors with volunteers and granting them corresponding privileges. We also adopted a law establishing the Federal Registry of Bone Marrow and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Donors. It currently includes over 460,000 potential donors, and our goal is to significantly increase this number - which can also be achieved through campaigns like this!"

Participants unanimously agreed that donation is not just a medical procedure but an expression of conscious civic responsibility.

Yulia Drozhzhina, member of the State Duma Committee on Health Protection and Chair of the Board of Russian Student Teams, explained:

"Becoming a donor means taking responsibility for someone else’s life. This is not just an act of goodwill - it is a mature, conscious decision rooted in a deep understanding of the value of human life. Donation unites people and strengthens us as a society. Together with my fellow deputies and executive authorities, we not only create and pass laws supporting donation but also lead by example, proving why donating blood or joining the Federal Bone Marrow Donor Registry is important, necessary, and honorable!"

Active participants from the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy called for greater recognition of young people’s role in the national donor movement.

Yulia Sarana, Deputy Chair of the State Duma Committee on Youth Policy, emphasized:

"Blood donation is a special act of civic courage and everyday heroism. I am glad to see young people becoming the driving force of this movement today - students, young doctors, and volunteers all set an example of true social responsibility. Every donation campaign saves children’s lives, helps cancer patients, and gives thousands a chance at recovery. We have already taken important steps - expanding benefits for donors. But most importantly, people’s mindsets are changing. Young Russians prove that being a donor is modern and truly cool. And I am confident - thanks to their energy and our joint efforts - Russia will become a country where donation is a way of life for every healthy citizen."

The goal of the annual joint donation event by FMBA Russia’s Blood Service and the State Duma is not only to facilitate voluntary, non-remunerated donations but also to visibly demonstrate to society the importance and social value of blood and component donation.

Soon, on June 14, the world will celebrate World Blood Donor Day, established by the World Health Organization in 2005. Every year, millions participate in this humanitarian act. Join them. Become a donor and save someone’s life.