Blood Bank seeks more donors
Kimpton staff at the recent blood drive
(CNS Local Life): Working toward its goal of gaining 500 new donors by the end of 2017, the Cayman Islands Blood Bank added 90 to its register through two recent drives, one for Global Youth Day and the other at a local wellness fair. Since the beginning of the year 167 new donors have been signed up.
The blood drive venues to date comprise Taste of Cayman where 30 new donors were registered, Rotaract Health Fair (47), Global Youth Day (44) and Kimpton Seafire Resort Staff Wellness Fair (46). In total, approximately 60 new registrants, those who signed up at the blood drives plus walk-ins, have donated blood since January.
The Blood Bank’s most recent drive was held at the Kimpton’s wellness fair on 19 April, where hotel staff were informed about who is eligible to be a donor, how to become a donor, the benefits of donating and how they can raise awareness.
The blood drive at the Global Youth Day, an event celebrated worldwide on 18 March and hosted locally by the Youth Ministries Department of the Cayman Islands Conference of Seventh-day Adventists (SDAs), was held at Harry McCoy Park in Bodden Town, attracting more than 100 people. The Blood Bank became involved in the event after the Adventist community contacted its staff expressing a desire for them to educate youth along with the wider community on blood donation and its significance.
Medical technologist Greg Honeyghan, who spoke at the event, said that he wanted to inspire people to become blood donors. “Imagine a scenario in which you are involved in a motor vehicle accident and there was no blood at the Blood Bank to save your life,” he told those attending. “You would die. By imagining a scenario like this, you can see clearly why it is important to donate and why there is always need for blood. We cannot manufacture blood, so it has to come from individuals like yourselves.”
Blood Bank manager Judith Clarke said of the two recent drives: “Thank you to the organisers of the SDA Global Youth Day and the Kimpton Seafire’s Staff Wellness Fair for involving the Cayman Blood Donor Service in your events. This was an opportunity to create awareness about the need for voluntary, non-remunerated blood.
“With an increased demand, we have set an ambitious target of 500 new donors for 2017. The 90 new donors recruited at these events will go a far way in meeting our target and these individuals will be spreading the word and encouraging others to help save a life. The residents of these islands have big hearts and will ensure the partnerships work to meet the target.”
The Blood Bank is looking for similar opportunities and partnerships for blood drives.
To register to become a blood donor or volunteer to collaborate with the Blood Bank, call 244-2674 or go to its website
Category: Community
