حين يتحوّل العطاء إلى منظومة وطنية

I have written repeatedly about the criteria for the advancement of nations, which include the solidarity of their communities, the mutual support of their people, and the promotion of a culture of (volunteering) and giving as a fundamental human and societal principle.

In a striking symbolic step that reinforces the value of giving in the public consciousness, Prince Mohammed bin Salman donated blood last Thursday, 21/8/2025, and His Highness launched the national blood donation campaign, sending a practical message that volunteering is not a luxury, but an ethical and health infrastructure for any society striving for progress. This initiative aims to raise awareness about voluntary donation and achieve national self-sufficiency in blood and its components to ensure safe and sustainable supplies that meet the needs of patients across the Kingdom. Global experiences confirm that effective volunteering systems reduce gaps in access to healthcare and enhance hospitals' capacity to respond to emergencies and major surgeries as a standard of safety, sustainability, and self-sufficiency.

Internally, data indicates a growing community momentum: the number of blood donors in the Kingdom exceeded 800,000 in 2024, a figure that points to a broad participation base that can transform—through institutional motivation—into a solid and lasting culture. With the launch of the new campaign, the Ministry of Health announces the readiness of 185 accredited blood donation centers; this means that individual willingness to give is now aligned with a structure for receiving and high-quality safe services.

At the level of the overall message, this approach aligns with visions for building a vibrant community that shares responsibility and makes "human duty" a daily practice. Invoking civic values such as altruism, discipline, and kindness in mass health initiatives raises the level of social trust and accelerates the achievement of self-sufficiency, which is a goal clearly stated by the campaign: to raise the percentage of voluntary donations to 100% of total donors as a standard for institutional advancement. In this context, when we browse any file of any program from Vision 2030, such as the (Quality of Life) program, we will find ample space to instill the culture of both institutional and individual volunteering among community members.

The initiative of the Crown Prince carries a leadership significance; role models drive public behavior, and leadership is a role model when the head of the pyramid engages in voluntary work and altruism, bridging the gap between "the message" and "the response," transforming the discourse into tangible participation from individuals, institutions, and organizations, which has quickly reflected in the interaction of governmental and community entities and the expansion of field campaigns.

Finally, in advanced societies, development is measured by the ability of the state and society to transform values into sustainable systems. Blood donation—by its voluntary identity—represents a rare intersection between the ethical and the practical; it is a humanitarian act that saves lives, a public policy that strengthens the health system, and a civic indicator of the maturity of society and its self-confidence. From this perspective, the national campaign appears to be more than just a circumstantial event; it is the foundation for an extended culture of giving, nourished by role models and supported by ready institutions, opening up for every citizen a simple yet significant opportunity: to give life to others with drops of blood.