Burgas doctors and volunteers honored 25 regular blood donors

On June 10, 2025, in Burgas, a ceremony was held on the occasion of World Voluntary and Non-Remunerated Blood Donor Day, during which 25 regular donors were honored. The event was traditionally organized by the Bulgarian Red Cross (BRC) Burgas and UMHAT Burgas.

"Each of you has saved a life without asking for anything in return. This is the highest manifestation of humanity. Thank you for being here!", said Dr. Svetlozar Georgiev, Deputy Director of UMHAT Burgas, at the opening of the event. He added that the past year 2024 was historic for two reasons - a record number of blood donors in the region and a government decision to create a Regional Transfusion Hematology Center - Burgas, the so-called Blood Center, which will gradually take over the work of the Hospital's Transfusion Hematology Department.

"Voluntary blood donation is an act of solidarity, compassion and hope. Each donated liter of blood is a chance for a new life. The first Blood Donation Center was established in 1944 by the Red Cross. Today, our organization supports institutions and promotes blood donation, because this is an activity that is cultivated from an early age," said Violeta Radeva, Director of BRC Burgas.

Among those honored this year were both people who had donated blood dozens of times and those who had only recently taken their first step, but had expressed a desire for this to become a tradition. Angel Angelov, Krastyo Peev, Stoicho Nikolov, Tsvetana Prokopova, Kristiyan Panchukov, Zhivko Gyurov, Dimo Stoyanov, Kalin Boshev are donors who always respond to calls and participate in campaigns.

Certificates for dedication and overall contribution to saving human life were also received by two ladies - Galya Baycheva, a long-term volunteer at the BRC and a crisis and evacuation trainer, and Hristina Zafirova - a medical paramedic in the Transfusion Hematology Department of UMHAT Burgas, who at the age of 70 continues to work and motivate the young to donate blood.

All honorees received gifts from Grand Market "Zhanet" - Nessebar, who are also active voluntary blood donors and support the activities of the Transfusion Hematology Department of UMHAT Burgas.