Guyana Red Cross joins with partners to celebrate World Blood Donor Day

The Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS) joined partner organizations, including the Guyana National Blood Transfusion Service, in a Recognition Reception for World Blood Donor Day, June 14.

Speaking at the event, GRCS Secretary General Dorothy Fraser said the Red Cross continues collaborating with the Ministry of Health and the National Blood Transfusion Centre to work to achieve 100% voluntary donations.

She said they work with the private sector, youth groups, non-governmental organizations, the work sector, and faith-based organizations to encourage a spirit of donation and to educate potential donors about the human imperative of regular blood donation.

She described a program in the Red Cross dealing with voluntary blood donation: Club 25, which encourages young people to give blood 25 times before their 25th birthday.

This provides a reminder and incentive to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, and provides both a social outlet and reaches out to an energetic and enthusiastic group of potential donors, she added.

During the reception, presentations were made to the oldest donor, youngest donor, donating families, media, workplaces, and others. Prime Minister Samuel Hinds also honoured the group of volunteers by presenting awards to those who had given in excess of 10, 15, and even 20 units of blood.

A very moving testimonial was done by Nardine Simon, mother of a recipient of donated blood. She told of her daughters’ struggle to stay healthy and the family’s reliance on blood often donated by strangers. Because of voluntary donation, she was given two years to be with her daughter. Ms. Simon now is an advocate for blood donation, and speaks to churches and other groups about the importance of giving blood.

Those gathered also heard a personal story from a recipient of donated blood. The recipient, who preferred to go unnamed, received blood during emergency surgery and spoke to the group about “returning the favor.” Fully recovered, she is now a regular donor.

Also speaking at the event were: Pan American Health Organization representative, Dr. Hedwig Goede; Nicolette Henry, on behalf of the US Centre for Disease Control; and Dr. Clement McEwan, the Executive Director of the Blood Bank.

Dr Goede focused on the importance of World Blood Donor Day, which this year had as its theme “Commitment to Universal Access to Save Blood.”

She described how blood given through voluntary, unpaid donations is much safer than blood given in exchange for money, or blood given to a designated relative in times of emergency.

In the latter instance, family members are often under stress and pressure to help a loved one. These concerns override concerns that their blood might not be safe. Those giving blood in return for money often are under specific economic pressures.

Dr. Goede noted that the blood of paid donors is 70 times more likely to test positive for HIV than unpaid, voluntary donors.

Nicolette Henry of the CDC spoke of the importance of voluntary blood donation and the CDC’s commitment to continuing and increasing cooperation between organizations in order to provide the highest standards of service.

These agencies are successfully using funds from the Presidents Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, to strengthen the blood donation and transfusion system in order to ensure that by 2010, Guyana relies solely on voluntary, unpaid, donations.