The leading soccer player will serve as the first global ambassador for the BE THE 1 movement
Abbot and Real Madrid soccer star Cristiano Ronaldo are partnering to bring even more attention to the important cause of blood donation. The leading soccer player will serve as the first global ambassador for the BE THE 1 movement – developed to inspire young people around the world to regularly donate blood.
“We can all make a difference by donating blood. Each donation can benefit up to three people in emergency situations and for long-term medical treatments,” said Ronaldo, forward for Real Madrid and Captain for Portugal National Football. “That’s why I am enthusiastic to be partnering withAbbott to bring awareness to the importance of blood donation and to encourage people around the world to become lifelong blood donors and help save lives,” he added.
As a regular donor, Ronaldo understands the importance of blood donation. Reportedly, he first gave blood after seeing his teammate’s son was sick and was in need of a donation. Since then, he has continued to donate regularly and avoids any activities that would even temporarily prevent him from donating.
As a leader in infectious diseases and diagnostics, Abbott’s testing instruments screen more than 50 per cent of the world’s blood supply. As a result of careful donor selection and testing, millions are safely given blood transfusions every year. Through its Global Surveillance Program, Abbott works to keep the blood supply safe by continually identifying new viruses and diseases, as well as newly-emerging strains of HIV, Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C, in order to incorporate detection of such viruses into the blood screening process.