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DHAHRAN: Residents of Darin Island on Monday gathered at Salem Al-Mutawa Hall to participate in a blood donation campaign organized by Al-Jazirah Sports Club in collaboration with the Qatif Health Network.

The campaign, “Your Blood is Life,” is rooted in compassion and civic responsibility, the organizers said.

Reem Al-Hamdan, director of social responsibility at Al-Jazirah Sports Club and head of the organizing committee, said the campaign was more than a community event, it was a personal mission.

“When we believe that every drop of blood could mean a new chance at life, we realize that donating blood is not just a voluntary act, it’s a powerful humanitarian message,” she told Arab News.

Al-Hamdan was motivated to set up the event after visits to friends and family in hospitals, where she witnessed the struggles of patients suffering from anemia and other conditions that required transfusions.

“These close and emotional moments made me realize that blood donation isn’t just a choice, it’s a necessity that saves lives and restores hope,” she said.

She also considers the campaign a chance for people to shift their perceptions of sports institutions.

“I saw that the club shouldn’t only be a place for athletic competition, it should also be a platform for social responsibility and health awareness,” Al-Hamdan said.

Among the many participants was journalist Fares Aldrbas, who is a regular donor. “Donating blood is a humanitarian act that helps treat patients and the injured who are in need of transfusions,” he said. 

Aldrbas said he first donated blood for a family member. “I was among the first to step up, and it had a big impact on me. I felt like I had saved a life.”

“Trust in God and donate,” he said. “There is great reward in this, and it’s a humanitarian act truly worth doing.”

A significant moment for Al-Hamdan during the campaign came from a donor who shared his reason for participating.

“He told me, ‘I’m donating today because I remember someone dear who passed away, they couldn’t find blood in time,’” she said.

“That moment touched me deeply and reminded me that what we’re doing here could truly be the difference between life and death.”

The campaign prioritized creating a safe and welcoming space, especially for first timers. A medical team was present to deal with questions and concerns.

“We make sure volunteers feel secure from the moment they arrive and we provide emotional and moral support, we want them to feel they’re part of something meaningful,” Al-Hamdan said. 

She also recalled how a cancer patient insisted on donating despite his illness.

“I felt overwhelming gratitude for him,” she said. “It gave real meaning to the campaign’s name ‘Your Blood is Life’ because even those in pain were trying to give life to others.”

Al-Hamdan hopes to make the campaign a permanent fixture in the community.

“I’d love to see it become an annual event … something that not only supports the blood bank, but raises awareness around anemia and the importance of regular blood donation.”

“This kind of solidarity shows that goodness is still alive in people’s hearts,” she said. “Together we can make a real difference.”

RIYADH: Live demonstrations of traditional crafts by skilled artisans at the eighth Al-Atula Archeological Village Festival have drawn significant interest, according to a Saudi Press Agency report.

Festival supervisor Othman Al-Zahrani said the event features more than 10 sections dedicated to traditional crafts.

These include ancient building techniques, door and window engraving, sword and dagger making, and Sadu weaving, the SPA reported on Wednesday.

The sections offer visitors a unique opportunity to experience traditional professions firsthand with the artisans using simple tools and natural materials rooted in the heritage of the Baha region.

The event aligns with the Year of Handicrafts, an initiative launched to celebrate and support traditional crafts across the Kingdom.

The Baha region is known for its thriving craft industries that reflect the identity and history of its people.

More than 200 artisans from the region practice and preserve 20 distinct types of skills passed down through generations and showcased in local markets and cultural events.