In celebration of Make a Difference Day on October 28th, the Cameroon YES Alumni Association (CYAA) organized a blood drive at the General Hospital of Douala. Led by Claude Essomba Minlah (YES 2014-2015, hosted by PAX in Cordova, TN), Stephane Kamtchuing Fodjo (YES 2012-2013, hosted by AFS in Cleveland Heights, OH), and Evangeline Bekemeh Safeh (YES 2011-2012, hosted by PAX in Bossier city, LA), the alumni sought to debunk the cultural idea that donating blood is a taboo in their community through the execution of this initiative. 

Alongside the hospital’s physicians and through research, the alumni were able to help administer the three phases of donating blood: a physical test, retrieving medical history, and receiving actual donations. At the conclusion of the drive, the physicians educated the donors and alumni about the importance of blood drives and the positive impact this voluntary act has on communities. The blood drive gained a total of 20 donors.