Every year the Cayman Islands joins the international
community in recognising World Blood Donor Day on 14 June. This important
annual event promotes awareness of the need for voluntary donation of safe
blood and blood products.
As of January this year, the Cayman Islands Blood Bank at
the Health Services Authority had 1,016 active donors registered, almost twice
the 551 listed in 2004. The numbers have certainly improved over the years, but
we always need more volunteers. We must continue to recruit new donors to
ensure we have an adequate supply of blood to meet both recurring and emergency
requirements.
Anyone willing and interested is invited to give the blood
bank a call at 244-2674. The next step is to come in and fill out a
questionnaire. These responses determine if potential donors are able to give
blood. Because of stringent adherence to standards of securing safe blood for
the residents of these Islands and visitors, there are restrictions (as a
matter of ultimate safety) in who can give and when.
The theme for World Blood Donor Day 2011 – More blood. More
life – emphasises the universal need for people to come forward as regular
blood donors. The entire process takes
about 45 minutes, which is a very small time commitment compared to the
enormity of being able to save someone’s life with a blood transfusion.
World Blood Donor Day was first established in 2004 by the
World Health Organization, the International Federation of the Societies of Red
Cross and Red Crescent, International Society for Blood Transfusion and the
International Federation of Blood Donor Organizations to promote voluntary
blood donation around the world.
In addition to that vital objective, the founders hope to
see each country encourage safe and sufficient blood supplies and continually
increase the number of voluntary donors who regularly give blood.
For this year’s commemoration, WHO and its partners are also
asking communities to join the World Blood Donor Day 2011 campaign and
symbolically ‘paint the world red’, by colouring, covering or lighting
landmarks and buildings in red; staging artistic, cultural or musical events
with a red-coloured theme; or forming a ‘human blood drop’ in prominent public
places.
We proudly join our counterparts around the world in
applauding the dedication of our donors to this life-saving exercise, but we
also would like these volunteers to know that their service is appreciated all
year long as they continue to donate blood when called on at least every three
months.
I am duty-bound to offer our heartfelt thanks to the many
who give, over so many years, saving so many lives, selflessly. You make a
difference…life. Thanks for being so special to so many.
Cayman’s blood donors can attest that giving blood is safe
and quick, but the ease of donation does not diminish the significance of their
commitment. Every single volunteer deserves the gratitude of the entire
country.
On behalf of the Ministry of Health, thanks again to the
anonymous heroes and hope that this year’s World Blood Donor Day inspires more
people to join this important group whose efforts could save the life of
someone you love.
We proudly join our counterparts around the world in
applauding the dedication of our donors to this life-saving exercise.
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