Azerbaijani youth group supports blood donation campaign in Moscow
By Nigar Orujova
A charitable blood donation campaign was held in Moscow on the initiative of Vice President of Azerbaijan's Heydar Aliyev Foundation, chairperson of the Azerbaijani Youth Organization of Russia (AYOR), Leyla Aliyeva, on June 14.
The campaign, which aims to help children suffering from thalassemia and hemophilia in Azerbaijan and beyond, has been carried out for six consecutive years.
The "Blood has no nation" campaign, supported by I.M. Sechenov First Moscow State Medical University, involved some 100 students from higher educational institutions in Moscow, including those from Brazil, Israel, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia and Uzbekistan. The endeavor also involved the staff of Azerbaijan's Embassy in Russia.
Moreover, on June 11, the Vladimir State University conducted this campaign with the participation of Foreign Students Association of the Vladimir province for the first time.
Azerbaijani youth of the Vladimir province in neighboring Russia joined the traditional AYOR campaign this year. They attracted both foreign and local friends to participation in the event, which emphasized the significance of the "Blood has no nation" slogan.
The campaign was also supported by students and graduates from Yemen, Palestine, Turkmenistan, Vietnam, Bangladesh, Tajikistan, Moldova, and Ecuador, as well as residents of the city of Vladimir.
Though it was an important time of examinations for the students, those who wanted to become donors willingly came to donate blood during breaks.
Afterwards, the students built a wall of peace and friendship on the doorsteps of the University to symbolize their unity, in spite of any possible differences.
AYOR was established on April 18, 2009. Since its inception, the organization chaired by Leyla Aliyeva has aimed to bring together the most active part of the Azerbaijani community in Russia into one large family to inculcate in young people the spirit of patriotism and encourage the preservation and promotion of the cultural heritage of Azerbaijan.
AYOR also aims to strengthen the friendly relations between the two nations. Currently, the organization is represented in 70 regions of Russia and has more than 30 branches in Moscow's universities.
The organization's scope of activity covers culture, education, science and history of Azerbaijan; its realities and perspectives; outreach activities, sporting programs; and nurturing in young people a sense of responsibility for their future and the future of the whole world.
AYOR pays much attention to health and healthy lifestyle. As part of the "Blood Has No Nation" campaign implemented in the past few years, the organization's volunteers donate blood to people in need free of charge. This campaign covers not only the capital Moscow, but also the Russian regions.