Local flight attendant Tracy Ross was at the Cayman Islands hospital when she got an alert about a “critical appeal” from the Cayman Islands Blood Bank for immediate donations of Type O negative blood on Tuesday.
“It was the perfect opportunity for me to rush to help someone,” Ross said, in a telephone interview with the Cayman Compass on Wednesday afternoon. As she sprung into action to not only answer the call, she also rounded up a few friends to roll up their sleeves to donate, too.
Within hours of the appeal, some 27 donations of blood were made on that single day, 10 of those being new donors.
The response prompted the Blood Bank to discontinue its appeal on Wednesday.
“It was very touching and it was so nice that everyone got together and took time out of their day and came to do this. It was a good response and good feedback I feel from the public and from the community and it’s great that we can all help each other,” Ross said.
Community effort
She said she posted an appeal to her Facebook page and her friends responded.
“A few of my friends actually responded and said ‘ok, I’m on my way’ and then they sent me pictures like showing me that they were there. So I thought it was pretty cool that everyone got together and reached out,” she said.
Kristine Battad-Miranda, HSA Medical Technologist, shared Ross’s feelings.
She told the Compass the team at the Blood Bank were grateful for the community response.
“The Cayman Islands Blood Bank would like to express their heartfelt graduate to all blood donors for stepping up in helping save lives. Blood donations can be made Monday to Friday from 7am to 6:30pm and Saturday from 9am to 5:30pm at the Cayman Islands Hospital,” she said.
Though Tuesday’s donation was not the largest donation day on record, the Health Services Authority said the community support “fulfilled the need for this blood type.”
The Blood Bank, in its appeal, had advised that supply chain delays from the US due to Hurricane Ian have slowed the delivery of blood.
“Cayman needs to increase our local blood donations to ensure we have adequate supply for patients when they need it,” the appeal stated.
Donations should not end with appeal
Ross, a regular donor, agreed, saying that she tries to donate regularly and encouraged others to do the same.
“I donate every four months regardless if there’s an emergency or not, because that is the time, if you’re donating, to recuperate. I would say if you are able to… I would recommend doing it. It makes you feel so good afterwards and helps someone and you can never have too much blood on this island. We are a little, tiny island and blood is always needed,” she added.
Men can donate every three months and women every four months, according to the Blood Bank’s guidance.
Donations can be made Monday–Friday from 7am to 6:30pm, and Saturdays from 9am to 5:30pm at the Cayman Islands Hospital.
Walk-ins are also accepted; however, people who have not donated before at the Blood Bank need to take a brief eligibility test on its website before scheduling an appointment.
For more information on eligibility and to book an appointment, visit www.bloodbank.ky or call 244-2674.
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