Bangladeshi teen Tamzid nominated for Int'l Children's Peace Prize

Sixteen-year-old Tamzid Rahman from Bangladesh has been nominated as one of the top 30 finalists for the prestigious International Children's Peace Prize, often referred to as the 'Nobel Prize for Children'.

This recognition honours young individuals making remarkable contributions to improving their communities.

Tamzid's nomination comes in recognition of his outstanding work with BloodLink, Bangladesh's first and largest peer-to-peer blood donation app.

Founded by Tamzid in early 2023, BloodLink was designed to address the critical shortage of accessible blood donations in the country.

Since its starting, the app has facilitated over 1,200 successful blood donor-recipient matches, saving the lives of more than 500 children, many of whom suffer from thalassemia, a genetic blood disorder requiring regular transfusions.

The International Children's Peace Prize, awarded by the Netherlands-based KidsRights Foundation, is one of the most prestigious honours for young changemakers worldwide.

Tamzid's nomination not only highlights his personal accomplishments but also places BloodLink on the global stage, drawing attention to the life-saving work.

At the core of Tamzid's recognition is the incredible success of BloodLink. The app connects voluntary blood donors with families in urgent need of blood transfusions, especially for children with life-threatening conditions like thalassemia.

As one of the leading platforms for blood donations in Bangladesh, it provides a critical service by overcoming logistical hurdles and delays that often prevent timely blood transfusions.

The app is completely free to operate, ensuring families have access to life-saving blood in their neighbourhood. To date, over 950 active blood donors have registered with BloodLink, creating a comprehensive database that ensures swift and reliable connections between donors and recipients.

During emergencies like the dengue outbreak in mid-2023, BloodLink's emergency response unit successfully assisted over 30 families in securing essential blood transfusions for their children.

Apart from the app, Bloodlink has launched a massive awareness campaign across Bangladesh.

Tamzid and his team have reached more than 15,000 people through educational workshops, school programmes, and blood donation drives.

Educational materials, including comic books and posters, have been distributed to more than 20 schools to engage students and encourage them to become future donors.

With support from the ICT Division of the government of Bangladesh, UNDP Bangladesh, and international partners like the KidsRights Foundation and Project Nightfall Philanthropy, BloodLink has raised over $25,000 in grant funding. This financial support is being used to further improve the app's infrastructure and extend its reach.

The winner of the International Children's Peace Prize will be announced later this year, with Tamzid and BloodLink representing Bangladesh on a global stage as a beacon of hope for the future of healthcare innovation.