The Tribune

By JEFFARAH GIBSON

Tribune Features Writer

jgibson@tribunemedia.net

WHILE the Unity Blood Drive may have ended over the weekend, members of the general public are still being urged to keep on donating by visiting the island’s various blood banks.

Community service organisations appealed to donors last week to participate in the first Unity Blood Drive held at the Mall At Marathon.

On Saturday, a number of organisations took part in the initiative with the aim of collecting at least 300 units of blood to help replenish the dwindling supplies.

The Princess Margaret Hospital Blood Bank, Doctors Hospital Blood Bank, Bahamas Red Cross Society, One Blood and Friend of the Blood Bank all took part in the event.

Basil Christie, Friends of the Blood Bank founder, told Tribune Health that people can still donate blood and help make up the deficit.

Last year, some 3,954 donations were accepted at Princess Margaret Hospital, but 12,487 units were needed.

“We have been very fortunate because of the publicity that we have gotten, so the response has been tremendous. We had set a target at 300 units, but I think we will get a little bit under that.

“We have a serious crisis during the summertime. Last year, the Princess Margaret Hospital requested around 12,000 unit but only got about 3,700, so people died because they did not get the blood they needed,” he said.

Daryll Armbrister of the Red Cross echoed the sentiment, encouraging people to keep donating, because “blood is always needed”.

“It is always a great thing to do for the mere fact that it can also help you stay healthy. You can lose about 600 calories after giving blood. Apart from that, after giving blood your blood has to be replenished, which means that new blood and new cells are in the body,” he said.

While there are a number of people who donate blood to the Princess Margaret Hospital and Doctors Hospital blood banks on a regular basis, many people still shy away from becoming donors.

“Trying to ask people to donate blood is like trying to ask people to donate money. It is tough. But we want persons to know the dire need for giving blood,” said Mr Armbrister.

“It could be your family member who needs blood. A heart transplant is taking place next week and this is beyond on time for that person. And that is just one person we are talking about. There are number of people that who need blood, and need blood now. So think about it being your family member,” he said.

A person can donate blood every eight weeks, Mr Armbrister explained. “A pint of your blood can save three lives.”