Red chilli challenge tackles high cost of blood

By Pamenus Tuso

ZiFM Stereo radio presenter Ruvheneko Parirenyatwa, 26, is determined to help suffering Zimbabweans. She is the founder and chairperson of the ZimboLove Foundation and has targeted the high cost of blood as her first charity campaign.

“A pint of blood costs $147 in public institutions in Zimbabwe. Many patients die as a result of being unable to afford this necessity, currently being sold at a price which makes it a luxury out of the reach of most people.

“Although there may be some justification for the price, it does not change the fact that the average Zimbabwean cannot afford to pay for a life-saving blood transfusion,” said Parirenyatwa in a recent interview.

ZimboLove’s blood drive campaign will be launched as the ‘Red Chilli Challenge’ and aims to raise funds to make blood transfusions accessible to financially disadvantaged patients.

Explaining the concept, Parirenyatwa said, “Participants will be asked to record themselves eating a fresh red chilli then nominate others to do the same. Each person who accepts the challenge is required to post the video of him/herself eating the chilli on social media and donate $1 or more towards the cause.

“We hope this will go viral and the videos will be shared online or via WhatsApp. Nominated persons not wanting to accept the challenge may either donate $5 towards the initiative, or give a pint of blood to the National Blood Service of Zimbabwe.” (NBSZ)

NBSZ Public Affairs Manager, Esther Masunda, hailed Parirenyatwa’s initiative saying it would go a long way towards addressing the blood shortage in the country.

Women die in childbirth

“We would like to thank Ruvheneko and her team for coming up with this innovate approach in making blood more affordable. This is going to assist a lot of people including road traffic accident survivors, cancer patients and mothers in labour who often require blood transfusions,” said Masunda.

“The number of cases of women losing their lives after giving birth due to blood shortages have been on the increase while a lot of accident victims in the country have lost their lives after failing to receive blood.”

Apart from having a passion for charity work, Parirenyatwa is also an accomplished broadcaster whose programmes cover topics such as health, social politics and youth related issues.

“My audience is captivated by my discussions on radio because of my hard–hitting and no mercy approach with guests irrespective of their political affiliations,” she said.

Another of Parirenyatwa’s concerns is the youth of Zimbabwe. “I am the deputy chairperson of the Harare Youth Council .This position keeps me connected with what is really happening on the ground, enabling me to consider solutions to problems, organise events and develop programmes to assist the youth of Zimbabwe,” she said.

A woman of many roles, Parirenyatwas is also a businesswoman involved in the fashion industry. She is currently the Pringle of Scotland Brand ambassador for Truworths Zimbabwe. The Zimbabwean