In a bid to help to alleviate the recurring shortage of blood, voluntary blood donation is encouraged by the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), popularly known as ‘the blood bank,’ to ensure that a wide cross-section of the country’s population including: pregnant women, victims of trauma; individuals needing complex medical and surgical procedures and persons with cancer and sickle cell, who may need blood on a regular basis, has access to this life saving ‘medicine’. Against this background, the JMMB team has maintained a strong partnership and commitment to being voluntary donors, with scores of team members participating in the 7th staging of the company’s blood drive, held at its New Kingston office.

Igol Allen, blood donor organizer at NBTS in lauding the JMMB team noted that the donation is timely with recent news reports sharing a spike in road accidents over the last few weeks, and over 100 road fatalities recorded up to April 5. In addition to the human and economic toll that road accidents have on the country, Allen, points out those road accidents also placed further strain on the country’s already low blood supply. He outlined that an estimated 60,000 units of blood is needed to adequately meet the country’s demand, however only approximately 55% of the country’s demand is usually met, resulting in medical complications, delayed medical procedures and sadly loss of lives.  

Janneal Fagan, culture and internal communications officer and this year’s blood drive organizer shared that she is pleased that the company was able to stage this blood drive; as it is in keeping with its mandate to be actively and publicly involved in charitable and voluntary activities within the society, demonstrating an understanding of the interconnectedness of the organization and its community.  She shared, “Our team members and their families have benefited from blood donations in the past and we have also seen the several urgent calls on social media and traditional media for blood donation. We therefore understand the lifesaving value of these donations and as such encourage voluntary blood donation among our team with our annual blood drive so that we can support our fellow Jamaicans.” 

Paying It Forward

 

Christina Williams, onboarding officer at JMMB noted, “I was not initially into giving blood but after the birth of my child and experiencing firsthand the need for blood donation, my perspective shifted and I have since decided to become a blood donor.”  Tonianne Rankine, centralized processing coordinator at JMMB who is typically a staple at the company’s blood drives, shared that her decision to be a frequent donor comes from the difference that blood donation made in her own life. Her father, though now deceased, was able to share more great memories with her for years, having received  blood donations when he underwent two surgeries some years ago. Now she is on a drive to pay it forward to others. "I see the difference I can make in the lives of others by doing something as simple as donating blood for a critical purpose - like saving someone's life," Rankine said.

The blood donation coordinator urged others to become voluntary donors noting, “The process is fairly straightforward taking less than an hour, and it is very rewarding to know that each unit of blood donated can save up to three lives. Afterall, you never know whose life you may save.” Individuals 17-60 years, who are over 110 pounds and in good health can participate in various blood drives organized by the National Blood Transfusion Service in partnership with other entities or to donate at any of its blood collection sites islandwide. Information on the blood drives and sites are available at https://nbts.gov.jm/events/