Celebrate blood day by giving

One pint of blood can save three people.

That’s part of the message being issued today, World Blood Donor Day.

The catch words today are ‘more blood, more life’ and ‘paint the world red (hence the red colour on today’s Editorial Page).

The Cayman Islands Blood Bank at the Cayman Islands Hospital is ranked one of the best in the Caribbean, says Carl Brown, chairman of the Cayman Islands Blood Service.

“We don’t pay you to give blood,” said Mr. Brown.

And that’s important in the blood services community worldwide. It means that blood supplies from the service are safe.

In celebration of World Blood Donor Day, Mr. Brown and Judith Clarke, laboratory quality coordinator for the Cayman Islands Health Authority pathology laboratory, are encouraging people to show up at the blood bank today to become lifelong blood donors.

The process is simple and safe.

“Come, let’s get you on the list. Then you’re permanently there and you’re privileged to a permanent mini-physical,” said Mr. Brown. “Ten per cent of the people who give regularly with us have changed their health. Sometimes the information we’ve gathered has helped save their lives.”

Potential donors give a sample of their blood, which is then tested. In some cases the testing reveals health issues, such as high cholesterol levels. The donor is allowed to give but is made aware of the health issue.

The blood bank has 1,116 registered donors, up from just a few hundred three years ago. But it’s still not enough, according to Mr. Brown and Ms Clarke.

“We have the challenge of rollover (immigration’s rule of not allowing work permit holders to remain in the country more than seven years),” said Mr. Brown.

There is also the issue of having to turn away people who are from the United Kingdom or have spent time there. They are turned away due to the possibility of having been exposed to Mad Cow disease.

The Cayman Islands Blood Bank has adopted rules and regulations from the American Association of Blood Banks, which does not accept donors who may have been in contact with Mad Cow Disease.

“All it would take is one Mad Cow case to break out and be our demise,” said Mr. Brown. The blood bank also turns away people from countries where malaria is rampant, such as South Africa and Honduras.

The country also has a very transient population.

But despite the drawbacks, the blood service has risen to every occasion, whether scheduled surgeries or emergencies.

The balance is to not take too much blood, as it has a shelf life, and ensure there are enough blood products on hand to meet all blood needs.

Mr. Brown and Ms Clarke said they are especially reaching out to the sporting community to encourage donors.

“These are naturally healthy groups that are drug free,” said Mr. Brown. “And it would help them.”

Giving blood has many health benefits, including lowering the iron content in your body, which is said to help reduce the risk of heart disease.

While the Cayman Islands has more than 1,000 donors registered, the World Health Organisation suggests that for a country with the population of the Cayman Islands, there should be at least 2,600 active donors.

Those who want to donate blood can go to the blood bank at the Cayman Islands Hospital or call 244-2669 to get information. A questionnaire will be filled out and a sample taken for testing. Donors will be telephoned and advised of their ability to donate.