After Cacique school drive…
COORDINATOR of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), Ms. Shameeza Mangal said yesterday that the agency is very happy with the recent donation organised by Cacique Inc. but maintained there is still a need for more voluntary donors.

The collection, initiated by the Association of Certified Chartered Accountants (ACCA) in Pike Street, Kitty, last Saturday, was the second largest for the year, so far, garnering 100 units, she disclosed.

The amount was garnered from students of the Kitty school and community members in a collaborative effort, recognised as excellent by Mangal.

The perception of excellence was shared by Vice-Chairman of Cacique, Mr. Fazal Bacchus, who, however, expressed disappointment that the targeted 250 units were not secured, although the drive surpassed last year’s 76 units.

He announced, though, that the exercise will, from now, be an annual event on the calender of Cacique which, in 2008, was lauded, by the Ministry of Health, for the largest one-day achievement.

The Cacique school, in that year, was overtaken by the 176 units, spearheaded by Swami Aksharananda, at Cornelia Ida, West Coast Demerara.

Mangal said such friendly competition is encouraged, as it serves a good cause by making more units of much needed blood accessible.

She said the addition of 100 units, through Cacique, has come at an opportune time and will complement the buffer stock at the Blood Bank.

“As fast as we screen and test the units, we utilize them, so we are never really meeting our buffer stock of 170 units,” Mangal explained.

The 170 was increased from 144, necessitated by the greater need, but she said, while the bank is meeting its needs, other volunteer donors are being encouraged to come forward.

Mangal said they are always welcome at all six sites nationwide, which, including NBTS headquarters, also in Georgetown, are in New Amsterdam, Berbice; Suddie, Essequibo Coast; Linden, Upper Demerara River and West Demerara Regional Hospital, West Coast Demerara.

It is about saving lives and, hopefully, people should be aware what a privilege it is to be a donor,” she said.