Kuwait- 27 March, 2012: Gulf Bank has launched its latest initiative to encourage more people to donate blood in Kuwait.  The initiative, entitled "Give Life", aims to convey to the Kuwaiti community that blood donation is a simple, easy and a very charitable and responsible thing to do.

"Give Life", which is launched in collaboration with the Central Blood Bank of Kuwait, will be promoted on television, radio, press and social media, as well as through a road-show visiting Gulf Bank branches and Kuwait shopping malls during 2012.  The movement is a central part of the Bank's 2012 corporate social responsibility activities, which are designed to support the health and wellbeing of Kuwait's community.

Fawzy Al-Thunayan, General Manager of Board Affairs at Gulf Bank said: "Blood donation is something any able-bodied individual can do.  It is easy, does not cost the donor anything, and the benefits it can bring can literally be life saving.  "Give Life" shows people the difference they can make in just 30 minutes.  Our employees have all been hugely supportive of this initiative and we are very proud of their efforts in donating blood and encouraging more people to do the same.

"As a responsible Kuwaiti financial institution, we believe we should take a leading role in the welfare of our society.  Through the "Give Life" movement and our other corporate social responsibility activities, we will continue to explore ways of doing this to benefit the future of our community."

On 21 March 2012 the "Give Life" blood donation road-show commenced at the first of regular visits to Gulf Bank's branches which will continue until the end of the year.  The visits will provide employees  and customers with information about blood donation, as well as the opportunity to donate blood.

In order to involve the wider community, there will also be a Gulf Bank-sponsored blood donation clinic visiting Kuwait's busiest shopping centers including Avenues Mall, 360 Mall and Marina Mall, where shoppers can simply drop in to donate blood while they are shopping.  Educating young people about the importance of blood donation is a further aspect of the movement, and the Bank will be visiting universities in Kuwait during the term time to educate students on blood donation and encourage them to support this important initiative as part of the program.