Blood donors awarded
– New Amsterdam Blood Bank collected over 12,600 units of blood since opening in 2012
DPI, Guyana, Sunday, June 16, 2019
In observance of International Blood Donor Day 2019 which was observed on Friday, June 14, the New Amsterdam Blood Bank held an award ceremony to honour 50 individuals, companies and hospitals that have been consistently donating blood over the past years.
The initiative, taken by the Chief Executive Officer of the New Amsterdam Hospital, Dr. Samantha Kennedy, Staff of the New Amsterdam Blood Bank along with the Regional Health Services, Region 6, sought to recognize the efforts of individuals that donated directly or companies that hosted regular blood drives.
This year, the Blood Donor Day was held under the theme, ‘Blood and universal access to safe blood transfusions’ with the slogan ‘Safe Blood for All’.
Dr. Kennedy, in her presentation, reiterated the importance of giving blood and what it means to the recipients as well as the donor.
She stressed that giving blood is the best gift a human can give to another as one unit of blood can save up to three lives and giving blood is akin to giving a person a chance at life.
She further noted that apart from the recipient of the blood, research from Harvard university suggests that by donating blood the donors are at less risk of cardiovascular diseases, meaning the donor is healthier as a result of giving blood.
Meanwhile, Candy Archer, the Supervisor of the New Amsterdam Blood Bank, in her remarks, reflected on the journey since the first blood drive held 10 years ago. Archer noted the blood bank was established some three years later in New Amsterdam in 2012 and from since then to present has moved to becoming the leading blood bank nationwide second only to the one at Georgetown Public Hospital.
This success, she attributed to the donors, especially the private sector which has been very supportive of their drives and even hosting blood drives of their own. To date, the facility has collected more than 12,620 units of blood that have been instrumental in saving lives all across Guyana. For the period January to June 1, 2019, the Blood Bank collected more than 700 units of blood.
Archer reiterated that by donating at the blood bank, the blood is not only used in the public health system, but by private hospitals as well since the blood banks are the only source of safe blood.
She wrapped up her presentation by reiterating the importance of donating blood and the difference every donor makes.
“Each donor is precious that is why we have this ceremony here to recognize you for your contributions. It is just a little token to let you know we and the recipients of the blood appreciate your efforts, we cannot thank donors enough for what they do.”
The donors and companies were honoured at a simple ceremony at the Blood Bank and were presented with trophies, plaques, certificates of appreciation as well as gifts.