The Tribune

By DENISE MAYCOCK

Tribune Freeport Reporter

dmaycock@tribunemedia.net

THE newly formed Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama plans to create an island-wide donors register to enlist more voluntary blood donations and to increase blood supply on the island.

The organisation was launched on Tuesday in the foyer of the Rand Memorial Hospital, and its president, Lededra Marche, said representatives want to raise public awareness of the need for voluntary blood donors.

She said the blood supply is always at a “chronically low level,” and that the current pool of donors is sometimes strained.

“Blood donors are the key players as they donate life-saving gifts to persons in need,” she said.

“While we have champion donors who voluntarily and regularly donate blood, to whom we are genuinely grateful, there is still the need to enlist more, as that pool is sometimes strained.

“Our blood supply has been dependent on replacement or direct blood donors, which, according to our health consultants, is always at a chronically low level.”

The organisation is made up of health professionals, civic communities and members of the public. The creation of a donor’s list and registry is a top priority.

“We have all heard the calls at some point in time for members of the public to come forward and give blood. We all know someone who has needed blood, and some of us may even have been on the receiving end of that call,” Mrs Marche said.

“We are grateful for the partnerships that have been forged with the Grand Bahama Health Services, The Red Cross, and other civic organisations and will be coming to your church, organisation, agency, school and business houses to join us in the fight to save lives,” she said.

Other executive members are Dr Catherine Adderley, vice-president; Claudia Glinton, treasurer; Meritta Strachan, outreach co-ordinator; Maria McIntosh, event co-ordinator; Davina Rutherford, PR assistant; Valeria Burrows, PR assistant; Patricia Burton, procurement; Dr Mandi Pedican, medical advisor to the group, Heidi McPhee, Dixie Jones, and Lydia Henfield.

Physician and internist Dr Pamela Etuk and Rand Memorial Hospital Administrator Sharon Williams also spoke to the group.

Ms Williams was pleased to see that another important health initiative was launched in Grand Bahama through the collaborative efforts of members of the community and corporate citizens.

“Our dedicated laboratory staff has felt the challenge of providing health services 24/7 for the entire community, leaving little time for aggressive planning and maintenance of a blood donor programme that supports the needs of all emergencies and health incidences in a timely manner,” she said.

“The members of this society launched today have committed to the organisation and management of a robust programme of awareness and procurement under the guidance of qualified clinical advisors and laboratory professionals from the health services.

“These concerned private citizens thought it best to collaborate rather than criticise, to cooperate rather than tear down and to unite rather than breakdown or destroy, with tongues of a national blood bank programme; we express our thanks for your interim solution to our local concerns,” administrator Williams said.

She stressed that Grand Bahama Health Services is cognizant of the importance of building relationships with people, the community, public and private organisations, and corporations. She pledged their professional support and assistance to the Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama.