About

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About Bone and Blood Foundation:

From Hospital Beds to Hope

The Bone and Blood Foundation stands at the heart of voluntary blood donation in Tanzania, born from the very hospital wards where patients wait for lifesaving transfusions. Founded and led by individuals living with sickle cell disease, we are more than an organization—we are patients, survivors, and advocates turned into a national solution. Based in Dar es Salaam and operating across Tanzania, we partner with the National Blood Transfusion Service to ensure every citizen, especially sickle cell warriors, mothers in childbirth, and emergency patients, receives the blood they desperately need. This is our story of turning personal struggle into national impact.

Mission

Our mission is to encourage more people to consider becoming a voluntary blood donor and to collect enough blood, to ensure the availability and accessibility of blood to sickle cell disease patients.

Vision

To be an internationally recognized organization of excellence in advancing blood donation in Tanzania.

Get to know us

What We Do at Bone and Blood Foundation:

We proudly collaborate with National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Ministry of Health, Muhimbili National Hospital (MNH), Sickle Cell Program – MUHAS, Tanzania Sickle Cell Disease Alliance, Fondation Pierre Fabre, Novo Nordisk Haemophilia Foundation, The Blood Drive Network, Tanzania Red Cross, GANSID, and the Sickle Cell Disease Patients’ Community of Tanzania in:

Voluntary Blood Donation Mobilization

We organize regular blood drives in schools, communities, and workplaces to ensure safe and sufficient blood supply, particularly for SCD patients, mothers with birth complications, and emergency cases.

Sickle Cell Disease Awareness and Screening

We educate the public about SCD through campaigns, workshops, and media, and provide free or low-cost screening services to promote early diagnosis and better disease management.

Support for Patients and Families

We ensure reliable access to lifesaving blood and medical care as the critical first step. Beyond that, we provide emotional support through counseling and peer groups, empower families with education for daily disease management, and offer practical assistance with costs like transportation and medication.

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Events Time

June 14,2025

June 19,2025

Events Name

World donor day

World sickle cell day

23 Jan

Inter-College Blood Drive

Dar es Salaam

Our Team

The Faces Behind Our Mission

“We exist for one reason: to ensure the availability and accessibility of safe blood for sickle cell patients and every Tanzanian in need. This isn’t just our work—it’s our lived experience.”

Neema Mohamed

CO-FOUNDER | BOARD MEMBER | EXCUTIVE DIRECTOR

My name is Neema Mohamed a dedicated advocate for sickle cell disease awareness and voluntary blood donation in Tanzania. As a sickle cell disease patient, co-founder and director of Bone and Blood Foundation, I have been at a forefront of organizing blood drives, mobilizing people, conducting awareness and educational campaigns events that aim at encouraging blood donation to ensure the availability and accessibility of blood to sickle cell disease patients. through collaboration with key organizations like the Tanzania national blood transfusion service, Muhimbili national hospital, regional referral hospital, blood centre and community groups. I have led numerous of initiatives to ensure accessibility of blood and resources to sickle cell disease patients in Tanzania.

Ibrahim D. Gabikwa

PROJECT MANAGER | NURSING OFFICER | PUBLIC HEATH ADVOCATE

Ibrahim D. Gabikwa is a passionate Nursing Officer at Muhimbili National Hospital and the Project Manager at Bone and Blood Foundation (BBF). He holds a Bachelor of Science in Nursing (BScN) and brings a deep commitment to advancing public health through education, encouraging voluntary blood donation, and community empowerment. Through his clinical work, Ibrahim has witnessed countless critical moments where patients especially mothers, accident victims, and children with sickle cell disease urgently needed blood transfusions, yet no blood was available. These heartbreaking experiences have fueled his dedication to encouraging voluntary blood donation as a life-saving act of solidarity and compassion. At BBF, Ibrahim leads impactful programs that promote voluntary, regular blood donation, early screening for sickle cell disease, and community awareness campaigns. He is also passionate about breaking the stigma and myths about sickle cell disease.

Zuhura Hassan, CPA

BOARD MEMBER | FINANCE ADVISOR,

Zuhura Hassan is a Certified Public Accountant (CPA) and holds a Master’s degree in Accounting and Finance. She brings extensive experience and expertise in financial management, strategic planning, and organizational governance. With a strong academic background and a commitment to financial integrity, she has consistently supported organizations in achieving operational sustainability and compliance with national and international financial standards.As a Board Member and Finance Advisor at the Bone and Blood Foundation, Zuhura plays a vital role in overseeing the foundation's financial operations and advising on budgeting, reporting, and donor fund management. Her guidance ensures transparency and accountability, which are essential to the foundation's mission of promoting voluntary blood donation and supporting individuals living with blood disorders, including sickle cell disease. Zuhura is passionate about using her financial acumen to support community-driven health initiatives and is deeply committed to empowering non-profit organizations to reach their full potential through sound financial practices.

Asia Namamba

BOARD MEMBER

Asia Namamba is a passionate advocate for child protection and a respected academic in the field of social work. She holds a Bachelor’s degree in Social Work and a Master’s degree with a specialization in Child Protection. Throughout her career, Asia has remained deeply committed to safeguarding the rights and well-being of children. Currently, she serves as an Assistant Lecturer in the Department of Sociology and Social Work at the Open University of Tanzania, where she plays a vital role in shaping the next generation of social workers. Her expertise in guidance and counseling, capacity building, and advocacy has greatly enriched the academic environment, inspiring students to embrace and apply core social work principles in their practice. In addition to her teaching responsibilities, Asia is actively engaged in research and consultancy on a range of child welfare issues. Her work contributes to the development of informed policies and programs aimed at creating safer, more nurturing environments for children.