Martial Arts Fans Give Blood
Published: 16.03.2012 13:55
Photo: Courtesy of the Blood Center
A mixed martial arts league, MMA Raju, together with hospitals in Tallinn, Tartu and Pärnu, organized a blood drive on Wednesday, which brought together 100 donors.
Estonian rapper Henry Kõrvits, better known by his stage name, Genka, also took part in the campaign. According to him, the event helped dispel negative stereotypes of those involved in martial arts. "Those engaged in combat sports are normal people just like everyone else," Kõrvits said.
The league has previously organized two other blood drives. "This is a great result," said Ott Tõnissaar, head organizer of the undertaking. "If we continue this project in the same spirit, we will be able to introduce more and more people to donating blood," said Tõnissaar.
Ülo Lomp, a spokesman of the blood donation center at the North Regional Hospital was also pleased. "I believe I can speak on behalf of all Estonian blood donation centers when I say that we are happy to see sports and blood donation tied in such way," he said.
Ingrid Teesalu