By Magdalene Wanja - Reporter
Kenya, December 31 2025 -As the year comes to a close, it is fitting to honour individuals whose selfless actions have made a lasting impact on society. Among them is Aisha Dafalla, a quiet yet remarkable heroine whose lifelong commitment to saving lives has earned her recognition as Kenya’s highest female blood donor.
Aisha’s journey into blood donation began at a young age while she was still in high school. Like many students at the time, she donated blood out of curiosity, motivated by the small incentives offered after the procedure: a snack and a soda. However, the experience left her shaken. Fearing for her safety, she avoided donating blood for nearly five years, reflecting on how close she felt she had come to losing her life.
That hesitation came to an end in 1986, when a close friend approached her with an urgent request. The friend’s brother had been involved in a serious road accident and required blood immediately.
“It was a desperate situation, and I could not turn away,” Aisha recalled. “I decided to take the risk.”
The donation was successful, and for the first time, Aisha witnessed firsthand the life-saving impact of her action.
“This gave me great motivation when I realised that donating blood actually saves lives,” she said.
From that moment, what began as a single act of compassion evolved into a lifelong mission. Aisha made a personal commitment to donate blood three times a year, driven purely by the desire to save lives. While many of her peers stopped donating once the incentives disappeared, Aisha’s motivation went far beyond temporary rewards.
Her journey has not been without challenges. Regular blood donation demands discipline, good health, and personal sacrifice. Over the years, Aisha has carefully planned her schedule, maintained a healthy lifestyle, and remained committed despite personal and professional responsibilities. Her determination never wavered, anchored by the belief that every donation could mean the difference between life and death.
Beyond blood donation, Aisha has dedicated her life to community service. She has undertaken training in development and peace-building, including courses at the International Peace Support Training School in Kenya. She has also completed HIV awareness and paralegal training through Care International, strengthening her ability to serve vulnerable communities.
Currently, Aisha works as a community worker with several organisations and supports the Kibera Daycare for the Elderly. Through this initiative, she helps ensure that elderly community members receive proper nutrition to maintain healthy blood levels, further reinforcing her lifelong commitment to health and well-being.
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Over the years, Aisha has also become a strong advocate for voluntary blood donation, inspiring young people and communities to embrace a culture of giving. Her efforts have helped raise awareness about the importance of maintaining adequate blood supplies in hospitals, particularly during emergencies.
In June 2022, her outstanding commitment was formally recognised when she was awarded the title of Kenya’s highest female blood donor. She reached an even more extraordinary milestone in 2025, when she donated blood for the 100th time, a rare achievement that cemented her status as one of the country’s most dedicated lifesavers.
Since 2023, Aisha has shifted from whole blood donation to platelet donation, a more frequent and critical process. She now donates platelets every two weeks, compared to whole blood donation, which is typically done every three months. Beyond individual donations, Aisha continues to broaden her impact.
As a Goodwill Ambassador for Cancer, she actively promotes cancer prevention, early detection, and improved treatment options across the country. Her advocacy aims to reduce stigma surrounding cancer while improving access to quality care and support for patients and survivors.
She also runs a project dubbed “Adopt a Patient,” through which she and other volunteers support cancer patients by ensuring a steady supply of blood whenever needed. “Most of these patients are children. One of the lowest moments in this project is when we lose a patient,” she adds.
Despite the emotional toll, Dafalla remains committed to her mission. She continues to call on Kenyans and people of other nationalities to donate blood and help save more lives.
Aisha Dafalla’s legacy is one of compassion, resilience, and unwavering service. She continues to run campaigns and inspire hope, and encourages more people to step forward and become lifesavers in their own right.
