24km walk champions urgent call for voluntary blood donors in Tonga

Tongan health advocate Makahokovalu Pailate is no stranger to walking long distances for a worthy cause.

On 14 June, World Blood Donor Day, he will once again lace up his shoes for a 24-kilometre walk from Fuamotu Airport to Billfish Bar in Nuku’alofa.

Speaking on PMN Tonga, he says the initiative aims to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation and to fundraise for Vaiola Hospital.

Pailate’s annual walk has become a tradition. Last year, he completed a 24km trek from Haʻatafu to Billfish.

He has two reasons for doing the walk: First, to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood, and second, to raise money to improve its blood donation services at Vaiola Hospital.

His plea for more voluntary blood donors is urgent.

According to Luisa Vailanu, a scientist at Vaiola Hospital, 98 per cent of blood donations in Tonga are non-voluntary.

Donations often happen through family requests shared on social media or announcements on local radio stations.

Vaiola Hospital is the main hospital of Tonga in Tongatapu. Photo/Ministry of Health Tonga

Pailate aims to establish a more sustainable and secure blood supply system in Tonga that relies on voluntary donors, ultimately seeking to set up the kingdom’s first blood bank at Vaiola Hospital.

Pailate is also participating in another endurance walk in New Zealand, where he is covering 85km to raise funds for Starship Hospital, specifically to support the sustainability of its helicopter services.

Pailate will walk from Fuamotu Airport to Billfish Bar in Nuku’alofa. Photo/Google Maps

So far, he has completed 49km and is encouraging others to join him or donate to the cause.

“I've passed the halfway mark. You're allowed to join my team and walk with me or otherwise, if you have some spare cash, just put it in there to donate to the Starship Hospital here in Auckland.”

Watch Makahokovalu Pailate's full interview below.