In a major step toward enhancing national blood security and access to lifesaving care, on 11 June, Rotary Central Cayman Islands handed over a mobile blood collection unit to the Health Services Authority Cayman Islands Blood Bank at a formal ceremony held at the Anthony S. Eden Hospital campus.
The landmark donation marks the culmination of Rotary Central’s 2024–2025 Project Focus, aimed at bolstering Cayman’s capacity to collect and manage blood donations across all districts and improve outreach to underserved communities.
Present at the handover ceremony were several officials, including Minister for Health Katherine Ebanks-Wilks, Cabinet minister and parliamentary secertary Wayne Panton, and HSA CEO Lizzette Yearwood, HSA CEO.
Commitment to public health
Representing Rotary Central Cayman Islands was Dr. Brendan Lee, president, who emphasised the organisation’s long-standing commitment to public health. In his address, Lee described the occasion as “historic and heartwarming,” highlighting the club’s decades-long commitment to community service and public health.
“This initiative has been years in the making – an idea born out of need, sustained by commitment and brought to life through the remarkable generosity of our community. Today is not just about handing over a vehicle – it’s about handing over hope, increasing access and saving lives,” he said.
This transformational project was made possible through the support of many corporate and individual donors, including gold sponsors Logic and Walkers and numerous other corporate sponsors.
The modern mobile blood collection unit is designed to collect up to six units of blood per hour, equipped with donor chairs, refrigeration systems and medical-grade storage and sanitation facilities. Its mobility allows the Cayman Islands Blood Bank to safely and conveniently conduct blood drives, reducing dependency on imported blood and expanding the national donor pool.
“We are deeply thankful to Rotary Central for this donation and amazing support for public health in the Cayman Islands,” Yearwood said. “Trauma care, maternity, oncology and surgery all rely heavily on an adequate and timely blood supply. Even with our team’s tireless dedication, only 3.2% of the eligible population donated blood in 2024. This reveals a sobering reality: While we have a strong core of committed donors, we must grow this base to meet future needs.”
Rotary Central Cayman Islands has supported the Cayman Islands Blood Bank since the 1990s through advocacy, education and donor mobilisation campaigns. The donation of this Mobile Blood Collection Unit represents Rotary Central’s largest single contribution to the Blood Bank to date.
For more information about scheduling a blood drive, visit www.bloodbank.ky.
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