By Sherah Alleyne
THE National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) of the Ministry of Public Health on Friday honoured top voluntary donors for their valuable contributions over the years.They were celebrated at an appreciation ceremony held at the NBTS office, East and Lamaha Streets , Georgetown.
Individual donors and organisations that made frequent contribution to the blood bank were presented with awards and certificates for their generous contributions to saving lives.
Acting NBTS Director, Dr Pedro Lewis, thanked all the donors, saying that in many countries there is not an adequate supply of safe blood, but Guyana is better off.
“It is a special day as we collectively recognise and celebrate those people who have voluntarily donated blood over the years,” he said.
Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr Karen Cummings, commended the donors and encouraged them to continue their good deed.
The donation of one pint of blood can save three lives.
This exercise was held to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products and to thank voluntary blood donors for their life-saving gifts of blood.
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 donations 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.