THE National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) of the Ministry of Health last Friday hosted an appreciation ceremony at its East and Lamaha Streets location in Georgetown, honouring its top voluntary donors for their valuable contributions over the years.

This activity was held to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary, unpaid blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
NBTS Director, Dr. Nadia Liu thanked all the donors who have donated blood over the years, noting that their act has ensured that 7,717 units were achieved by the Blood Bank.
She added that in Guyana more accidents are occurring, causing loss of blood by victims and an increasing need for more blood in the hospitals.  Dr. Liu added that the blood bank will always be calling donors to continue to give blood.

QUALITY
Ms. Radhamonie Das, also from the NBTS, noted that in many countries, there is not an adequate supply of safe blood, and blood services face the challenge of making sufficient blood available while ensuring quality and safety.
Today in just 62 countries, national blood supplies are based on close to 100% voluntary, unpaid donations, with 40 countries still dependent on family donors. The NBTS in Guyana has achieved over 90% and is aiming for 100% voluntary, unpaid blood donation by the end of 2013,” Das said.
Donor Wayne Bakker said he started giving blood since 1987 when he was encouraged by his father and has been donating as often as he could. He said it has made him feel stronger mentally and physically. Bakker said that he constantly travels to the interior region but has long been a frequent blood donor and he has never been affected by malaria or other diseases.
Kala Seegopaul, also a blood donor, admitted that she has had a long lasting relationship with the blood bank. She is not the only person who donates blood in her family, but almost all of her family members follow her footsteps. She considers donating blood something good for humanity.
Other donors feel that the donation of blood is important as it saves lives. With the donation of one pint of blood, three lives can be saved.
The donors were presented with awards and certificates by representatives from the NBTS.
Every year on June 14, countries around the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day. The NBTS is encouraging  people whose lives have been saved through blood donation to make themselves known, as a way of motivating regular blood donors to continue giving blood. People in good health who have never given blood, particularly young people, are also being urged to become donors.