Blood drive held at US Embassy in honor of 9/11 victims
Skopje, 13 September 2022 (MIA) – A blood drive was held at the US Embassy on Tuesday on the National Day of Service and Remembrance of nearly 3,000 victims in the terror attack in New York on September 11, 2001.
The blood drive was conducted in collaboration with the Red Cross of North Macedonia and the Transfusion Institute.
US Ambassador Kate Marie Byrnes told participants in the blood drive, including Minister of Interior Oliver Spasovski, MPs, representatives of religious communities and the diplomatic corps, that the blood drive was an excellent symbol of the partnership between the United States and North Macedonia, as well as of the joint activities to ensure a better and safer future for the citizens of the two countries.
She stressed that the blood drive was dedicated to the blood donors in North Macedonia, in the United States and across the world, because it was the volunteers who were the first to help the rescuers, risking their lives in search of survivors and helping the injured, including by donating blood.
“Before September 11, 2001, it was unimaginable that we could be possibly prepared for a tragedy of such proportions. Since then, we have learned a lot about the threats we face in the world and how to be more prepared to face any disasters, be they man-made or natural. Donating blood is just one example of how we can contribute to preparedness in case of crises, by providing necessary amounts of the life-saving fluid to those who need it the most,” Byrnes said.
She noted that this year the US Embassy in Skopje worked with its partners in the Army and the police in North Macedonia, on a large-scale crisis management exercise with the involvement of the Embassy staff, which enabled first aid training. According to her, exercises like this represent a tool that enables a quick and efficient response amid crisis in order to save lives and prevent further damage.
“Working with our partners in the Army and the police in North Macedonia, we are also ready for communication, coordination and joint effective action. In fact, this is what the Army of North Macedonia is working on together with partners from the United States, the EU and NATO allies on a regular basis. Such training activities as this year's "Swift Response" exercise, the largest of its kind in the history of North Macedonia, are aimed at improving interoperability between NATO forces for a successful response to any threat and crisis that may arise,” Byrnes said.
“This has never been more critical and necessary than today following Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine,” she continued. “By volunteering to work together and care for those in need, we can all do our part to help our countries, our communities become resilient in the event of hostilities or tragedies, and this is what the essence of the 9/11 Day is, as well as of organizations such as the Red Cross, which helps us to achieve this with its over 300 volunteers in North Macedonia.”
Red Cross Secretary-General Sait Saiti said the tragic event that took place 21 years ago is a painful memory not only for the American people, but the entire progressive world, as well as a reminder of how important it is to help each other amid tragedies. He thanked for the personal engagement of Ambassador Byrnes and the US Embassy, voicing hope that the traditional blood drive will continue for many years to come.
The US Ambassador, Embassy staff, Interior Minister Spasovski and other participants donated blood on Tuesday. The blood drive started in 2009 in honor of the people who lost their lives in the 9/11 terrorist attack.
