The blood bank reported 10 people coming out as of 1pm on Tuesday as part of the World Blood Donor Day drive.
Judith Clarke, medical technologist at the Health Services Authority blood bank, had been hoping for a larger turnout.
‘It is a bit disappointing. We expected more people to have responded,’ she said.
Ms Clarke noted that the emphasis this year was on motivating Cayman’s youth to give blood.
‘The youngest to respond so far was 28 years old. I really don’t know how to get the message across to the youth,’ she said.
Rosa McLean, president of the Leo Club of Grand Cayman, the youth wing of the Lion’s Club, was one of the morning’s donors. She also was expecting more people to donate blood.
‘For a good cause, any effort is a great one. It is obvious the blood bank needs blood,’ she said.
Ms McLean partly attributes the lack of youth giving blood to an aversion to needles.
‘I guess there is still a taboo among young people about donating blood. Young people just don’t like needles,’ she said.
Ms McLean was giving blood for the first time, but intends to become a regular donor.
‘Now that I’ve done it and seen how easy it can be, I’m sure I will be a regular donor.
‘Some people don’t think it’s important to give blood, but it’s very important, especially on a small island like ours,’ she said.
Ms McLean remained hopeful that more people would donate blood during their lunch break.
This event was the first time the HSA has marked World Blood Donor Day with a blood drive.
A large turnout on the day would have been good news for the blood bank, but as Ms Clarke explained, they need donors who will regularly give blood throughout the year.
Even though the numbers weren’t high, she said they have to keep trying to get more people involved.
‘We can’t give up. We have to find the blood,’ Ms Clarke said.
By the end of 2004, there were 551 registered donors, with more than 100 people signing up so far this year. Ms. Clarke would like to see at least an additional 500 donors registered for the year.
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