On the occasion of the National Day of Voluntary Blood Donors, which is observed in Croatia on 25 October, a reception was held at the Novigrad City Hall for Diego Ribarić and Andrea Zankola, who achieved their 50th blood donation. Mayor Anteo Milos and Head of Department Alen Luk congratulated the donors on their long-standing humanitarianism and persistence, with the mayor also congratulating his deputy, Andrea Zankola, on the valuable jubilee.
Congratulations were also sent by representatives of the Buje Municipal Red Cross Society — Director Hrvoje Kovačević, Vice-President of the Red Cross of Bujština Mario Šimat, and head of the Novigrad active donors group Snježana Kulišić. Kovačević highlighted that 181 active blood donors operate in Novigrad, and that by 25 October this year, 62 more units of blood had been collected than during the previous, then-record year.
The National Day of Voluntary Blood Donors is observed on 25 October in memory of the first organised blood donation campaign in Croatia, held in 1953 in Sisak under the organisation of the local Red Cross society.
The Novi Vinodolski Municipal Red Cross Society also solemnly marked the day. On this occasion, acknowledgements and awards were presented to donors who had reached significant, round numbers of blood donations through their selfless act. For five donations, awards were received by Antonija Mamula and Paula Vidović, while for ten donations, Edona Hoxha, Tea Švob, Vuk Maričić, Borna Grbac, Tin Ivančić, Neven Pavelić and Boris Rečan were recognised.
For 20 donations, Marija Ivančić, Marko Peričić, Sandro Salopek and Danor Katulić were awarded, while for 30 donations, Antonio Deranja, Davor Piškulić, Anton Bukovac, Goran Komadina, Silvano Kurelac and Ante Milat received awards. For 40 donations, Goran Žuljević, Oliver Lončarić and Alen Filipović were awarded, and for 50 donations, Zoran Tomić. For 75 donations, Saša Ćosić and Robert Tomić received awards.
A special award for exceptional humanitarianism and long-standing dedication to blood donation was presented to Igor Pavelić and Ljubomir Budić, who reached 100 blood donations. On this occasion, they were awarded with a gold badge and a letter of thanks.
Director of the Novi Vinodolski Municipal Red Cross Society Zrinka Jovanović extended a special thank you to the City of Novi Vinodolski for its continuous support and recognition of the importance of voluntary blood donation. She also thanked volunteer Marina Jovanović, who led the programme, as well as Sanjin and Saša for the equipment provided. Mia Jovanović further embellished the ceremony with her vocal performance, making the evening even more special.
