Ross Sheil, Staff ReporterA RECENT blood drive at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona saw 236 students each donate one pint of blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service.
This, the 'Blood Bank's' highest total still leaves the service short of its overall target of 30,000 to 50,000 pints per year, said Sandra Brown, communications officer of the Volunteer Blood Donor Programme. Last year just 23,000 pints were collected.
"Somehow we just seem to manage," said Mrs. Brown of the shortfall. Blood drives, especially in the summer months when schools and many workers are on holiday, are critical she said.
ENCOURAGEMENT
She was particularly encouraged by the reaction of UWI students: "We are trying to develop a culture of voluntarism and most especially we are urging our young people to be giving," she said.
Most people, she said, tend to donate only when a relative needs blood: "There is a smaller and highly appreciated group who volunteer for the sake of giving blood and they come two or three times a year." It is this group in particular which the Blood Bank wants to expand.
You, the donor can give a maximum of one pint per donation, which you can do every three months.
How to give blood1. You will need to give basic preliminary information
2. Submit to a brief medical check to test for haemoglobin levels.
3. Be interviewed on your medical history.
4. Give blood! (All blood is then tested before it is safe to administer to patients)
The Blood Bank is based at 21 Slipe Pen Road, Kingston (Tel: 922-5181-5). They also have collection centres at the following hospitals islandwide: University of the West Indies Hospital, Mandeville, Cornwall Regional, St. Ann's Bay, Port Antonio, Savanna-la-Mar and May Pen.
