Guyana Red Cross launches 'Club 25' initiative

The Guyana Red Cross has launched a new blood-donor drive targeting youth - Club 25 or C25.

The initiative was launched on International Youth Day (August 12) and will see the Guyana Red Cross work in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service and the Ministry of Health.

C25's main objectives are to promote healthy living among youth and to scale-up non-remunerated blood donation in Guyana . A direct spin-off of this is the reduction of HIV/AIDS infection among youth.

Youth will pledge to donate 25 units of blood before their 26 th birthday; and must have donated 3 units of blood to become eligible to join C25. Persons as young as 16 years can donate with parental consent and 18 years without parental consent; and will be donating at least 4 units a year to reach the goal of C25.

A representative from the Ministry of Health stated that GRCS has the full support of that Ministry and that they look forward to working with us.

The Central Islamic Organization of Guyana also pledged their support to this initiative and said that this is an area of service to community the organization has always been interested in, and will work closely with GRCS to promote C25 among its youth.

The official launch is scheduled for June 16, 2006 ; young people will register as members of C25, and MoUs will be signed between youth groups, various Ministries, FBOs and other organizations.