Iru Fushi hosts Sun Siyam’s annual blood donation campaign, sees strong participation

Sun Siyam Resorts has successfully held its annual anniversary blood donation event at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, continuing the Group’s long‑standing humanitarian tradition.

May 8 marks both Sun Siyam Resorts’ anniversary and World Thalassaemia Day, and the Group has been conducting blood donation activities every year in connection with the day. This year’s campaign celebrates the Group’s 36th anniversary, with donation camps held across Iru Fushi, Vilu Reef, and Siyam World.

The event at Iru Fushi was inaugurated by resort officials.

Speaking at the launch, Dorothy Bahati, Director of Operations at Sun Siyam Iru Fushi, said the annual blood donation programme reflects the Group’s commitment to community wellbeing. She highlighted the strong participation of staff, noting that many female employees and first‑time donors joined this year’s event.

“Our team has always shown a deep spirit of compassion. We organise this special blood donation event with great enthusiasm to support children living with thalassaemia,” she said, thanking all donors. “We hope this humanitarian effort will help save the lives of many children who depend on regular transfusions.”

Human Resources Manager Ahmed Waheed said blood donation is one of the most meaningful contributions resorts can make to society. He noted that 120 team members from Iru Fushi took part this year.

“Such activities strengthen friendship, kindness, and service to humanity among our team. We see this as an important contribution from the hospitality sector to national development,” he said, adding that similar activities could be expanded across more resorts. He also thanked the senior management of Maldivian Blood Services (MBS) and Sun Siyam Group for their support.

A medical officer from Maldivian Blood Services, who inaugurated the event, said Maldives has one of the highest thalassaemia carrier rates in the world. According to last year’s statistics, 665 children and adults are living with thalassaemia, with about two‑thirds receiving treatment at MBS.

She noted that most children require blood transfusions every 10 to 14 days, while a healthy donor can give blood every 90 days, underscoring the urgent need for regular donors. She thanked Sun Siyam Group for consistently organising blood donation camps since 2015.

“In particular, I thank all donors for giving thalassaemia children a way to receive blood without having to plead through the donor registry,” she said. She also noted that individuals with controlled conditions such as hypertension and diabetes can donate blood.

Azza Hameed, leading the event on behalf of Sun Siyam, said the campaign is sponsored by the Group’s founder Ahmed Siyam Mohamed, whose primary aim is to support children suffering from thalassaemia.

Azza thanked all employees who stepped forward to donate blood “to save the life of a stranger,” noting that many donors from last year returned again this year.

“Last year, 465 employees across Sun Siyam Resorts donated blood. We expect the number to be even higher this year,” she said.

Founder Ahmed Siyam Mohamed has long championed humanitarian initiatives alongside the Group’s business success. He is widely recognised for his contributions to the wellbeing of the elderly, vulnerable communities, and children across various fields.

The final event of this year’s Sun Siyam Group blood donation campaign will be held on Saturday at Maldivian Blood Services.