Behind every donation, a human story.
Behind every bag of blood collected by the PNST, there is a story: that of a person who chose to give an hour of their time, and that of a patient who was able to receive a transfusion when it mattered most.
Stories from donors and recipients
My first time: overcoming fear to save a life
My name is Samuel, I’m 24 years old, and I live in Port-au-Prince. For a long time, I was afraid to give blood. I heard a lot of things around me: that it hurt a lot, that you could get sick or lose your strength.
One day, a friend told me about a blood drive organized with the National Blood Transfusion Safety Program. He explained to me that in Haiti, many patients are waiting for blood in hospitals: women giving birth, accident victims, sick children.
I hesitated for several days. Then I said to myself: “What if a member of my family needed blood one day?”
On the day of the donation, the medical team welcomed me with great respect. Every step was explained to me. In the end, it only took a few minutes. After donating, I felt a deep sense of pride.
As I left the center, I told myself that this small gesture could save up to three lives. Today, I am no longer afraid. On the contrary, I want to encourage young Haitians to become voluntary donors. Giving blood means giving hope.
Samuel, 24
Giving blood has become my civic duty
My name is Marie-Lourde, I’m a shopkeeper in Les Cayes, and I have now been giving blood regularly for six years.
The first time was after an urgent appeal for a woman who had suffered serious complications during childbirth. That day, I understood that a shortage of blood can mean the difference between life and death.
Since then, I give blood several times a year. For me, it is not just a medical act, it is an act of national solidarity. Our country faces many difficulties, but we can all help save lives.
Every bag of blood can help a mother, a child, an accident victim, or a patient in need of a transfusion. I often think of these people without knowing them. Perhaps one day, someone will save a member of my family thanks to a blood donation too.
Many people think you have to be rich or powerful to help your country. I believe an ordinary citizen can already do a great deal simply by giving blood. A few minutes of our time can give someone else several more years of life.
Today, I encourage my colleagues, my friends, and even my children to become voluntary donors. Blood cannot be manufactured. The only source of blood is the human being.
Marie-Lourde
A transfusion saved my life
My name is Jean-Robert. Two years ago, I was the victim of a serious road accident on National Route No. 1. I had lost an enormous amount of blood. When I arrived at the hospital, the doctors explained to my family that a transfusion was essential to save me.
At that time, I didn’t even understand the importance of blood donation. I thought it only concerned certain sick people. But that day, my life depended entirely on the availability of blood.
Thanks to voluntary donors and the work of the medical teams, I was able to receive several bags of blood. The doctors later told me that without that transfusion, I would probably not be alive today.
After my recovery, I felt a deep need to share my story. Behind every bag of blood, there is a generous person who agreed to reach out to someone they don’t know. That person gave me a second chance.
Today, every time I see a blood donation campaign, I think of the donors who saved my life. I want to say thank you to them. And I encourage every Haitian in good health to become a voluntary donor. One day, this gesture could save a father, a mother, a child… or you.
Jean-Robert
Stories from patients and their loved ones
Nadège
I am still alive thanks to a blood transfusion
My name is Nadège, and I am a mother of three. During the birth of my last baby, I suffered serious complications and heavy bleeding. The doctors quickly explained to my family that my life was in danger and that blood was needed urgently.
That moment was very difficult for my loved ones. My husband did not know where to find blood quickly. Fortunately, thanks to the availability of blood bags at the hospital and the solidarity of voluntary donors, I was able to receive a transfusion in time.
Today, when I look at my children, I often think of those people I do not know but who helped save my life. Without them, my children might have grown up without their mother.
In Haiti, many women still lose their lives during childbirth for lack of available blood. That is why I ask everyone in good health to become a voluntary donor. Giving blood means saving entire families.
A mother's story
My son needed blood to survive
My 8-year-old son suffered from an illness that regularly required blood transfusions. At first, I did not understand just how vital blood is in certain treatments.
Every time the hospital announced that donors had to be found, it was a source of immense anxiety for our family. We would call friends, neighbors, colleagues… sometimes in the most desperate urgency.
Thanks to voluntary donors, my child was able to continue his treatment and regain his strength. To this day, I remain grateful to everyone who agrees to give their blood without expecting anything in return.
Behind every bag of blood, there is a child who can go back to school, play, laugh, and go on living a normal life.
A road accident survivor's story
Strangers saved my life
After my accident, I had lost an enormous amount of blood. The doctors told my family that they had to act very quickly.
I don’t remember everything, but I know that at that moment, several people had already given their blood before ever knowing me. Those anonymous donors made my survival possible.
When I left the hospital, I understood that giving blood is not just a medical act. It is an act of human brotherhood.
Today, I raise awareness around me to encourage more people to give blood regularly. No one knows when an accident or an emergency may strike.
The story of a sister who lost a loved one for lack of available blood
No family should ever go through this again
My brother was hospitalized after a serious emergency. The doctors needed blood quickly, but we had great difficulty finding it in time.
Despite all our family’s efforts, we could not gather enough donors fast enough. My brother died a few hours later.
This pain remains very hard for us to bear. Since that day, I have understood the importance of blood reserves in a country like Haiti.
Today, I take part in awareness campaigns so that no other family ever has to live through the same tragedy. Giving blood can truly mean the difference between life and death.
The story of a grateful relative
You are silent heroes
When my mother was hospitalized, we were desperate. The doctors needed several bags of blood for her operation.
Voluntary donors responded quickly to the appeal. Some of them did not even know our family. Yet they came to help without hesitation.
Thanks to them, my mother was able to have her operation and regain her health. Since that day, I have considered blood donors to be silent heroes.
They wear no uniform and ask for no reward, but they save lives every day.
Have you given blood at the PNST and would like to share your experience? Are you a patient, or the loved one of a patient, who benefited from a transfusion? The PNST would like to collect your stories to keep raising public awareness.