Eric Chevallier, Ambassador of France, visited the Blood Donor Centre at Hamad Medical Corporation (HMC) and donated blood yesterday to raise public awareness about voluntary blood donation. The ambassador was received at the centre by Sadika Ismail al-Mahmoudi, medical manager at the Blood Donor Centre. Chevallier expressed his full support to the efforts of HMC for blood donation. He said: “Blood donation goes beyond saving lives, and that it conveys a strong message of solidarity.”Chevallier hoped the French community will emulate his gesture by contributing to the blood donation campaign at HMC. Al-Mahmoudi said: “We are honoured by the support of the French Ambassador. Eric Chevallier. Blood donation is a noble act that saves the lives of many, including victims of car crashes, patients for major surgeries or transplantation, and those with some diseases that require frequent blood transfusion.” She added that maintaining 100% blood sufficiency to meet the needs of patients in the increasing population is the main goal of Hamad Medical Corporation’s Blood Donor Centre.