The best time of year to save lives


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Those who donate blood say that there are few better feelings than that of giving the gift of life to others. As Hana Al Shamlan, a regular donor, told this newspaper, "giving something without asking for anything in return feels great". She added that it was "good for the soul".

However, blood donations tend to fall sharply every year during the summer months and Ramadan. Many people are either fasting or travelling abroad, with the consequence that only a few take the time to donate blood. To combat this, as The National reported yesterday, blood banks in Abu Dhabi and Dubai are urging people to come forward and donate blood to boost stocks during the summer months, in which blood banks often have to reach out to regular donors to secure the needed blood for people with cancer or chronic conditions, such as thalassaemia and sickle-cell anaemia.

It is unfortunate that blood donations drop during the holy month of Ramadan, the month of selfless giving. The act of giving blood is an easy, safe and priceless kind of charity that helps save lives. It is also a good way to help other people and give back to the community. This does not only apply to Muslims celebrating the spirit of the holy month, but also to everyone looking for a chance to make a difference.

Blood has a shelf-life, which means that hospitals are in need of regular donors all the time. For example, those with thalassaemia, one of the most common genetic blood disorders affecting haemoglobin and red blood cells, need to undergo regular blood transfusion requiring as fresh blood as possible to survive. While blood banks can store freshly donated blood for a maximum of six weeks, thalassaemia patients need maximum of one week or five-days-old blood, according to Dr Laila Al Shaer, head of the Dubai Blood Donation Centre. And so this would be the most appropriate time to lend a hand to them.

Apart from the aspect of selfless giving, there is also a health benefit to donating blood, as it helps to keep the levels of blood pressure and iron in the body in check and theoretically reduces the risk of cancer.

So if you are in good health, aged between 17 and 65 and weigh more than 50 kilograms, why don’t you visit the nearest blood donation centre, raise your sleeves, and perhaps save a life?

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THE SPECS

2020 Toyota Corolla Hybrid LE

Engine: 1.8 litre combined with 16-volt electric motors

Transmission: Automatic with manual shifting mode

Power: 121hp

Torque: 142Nm

Price: Dh95,900

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GAC GS8 Specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 248hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 400Nm at 1,750-4,000rpm

Transmission: 8-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 9.1L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh149,900

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
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Lexus LX700h specs

Engine: 3.4-litre twin-turbo V6 plus supplementary electric motor

Power: 464hp at 5,200rpm

Torque: 790Nm from 2,000-3,600rpm

Transmission: 10-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 11.7L/100km

On sale: Now

Price: From Dh590,000

UAE currency: the story behind the money in your pockets
Short-term let permits explained

Homeowners and tenants are allowed to list their properties for rental by registering through the Dubai Tourism website to obtain a permit.

Tenants also require a letter of no objection from their landlord before being allowed to list the property.

There is a cost of Dh1,590 before starting the process, with an additional licence fee of Dh300 per bedroom being rented in your home for the duration of the rental, which ranges from three months to a year.

Anyone hoping to list a property for rental must also provide a copy of their title deeds and Ejari, as well as their Emirates ID.

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Stars: Vahid Mobasseri, Mariam Afshari, Ebrahim Azizi, Hadis Pakbaten, Majid Panahi, Mohamad Ali Elyasmehr

Rating: 4/5

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Starring: Ramy Youssef, Steve Carell, Jason Schwartzman

Director: Jesse Armstrong

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Biography

Favourite Meal: Chicken Caesar salad

Hobbies: Travelling, going to the gym

Inspiration: Father, who was a captain in the UAE army

Favourite read: Rich Dad Poor Dad by Robert Kiyosaki and Sharon Lechter

Favourite film: The Founder, about the establishment of McDonald's

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Starring: Bruce Willis, Toni Collette, Hayley Joel Osment

Director: M. Night Shyamalan

Rating: 5/5

Herc's Adventures

Developer: Big Ape Productions
Publisher: LucasArts
Console: PlayStation 1 & 5, Sega Saturn
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The specs

Engine: 2.0-litre 4cyl turbo

Power: 261hp at 5,500rpm

Torque: 405Nm at 1,750-3,500rpm

Transmission: 9-speed auto

Fuel consumption: 6.9L/100km

On sale: Now

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