– secures 17 units of blood

A LOCAL non-governmental organisation (NGO) Young Pioneers hosted its first blood drive at the blood bank on Saturday morning.

The group conducted the activity to address the long-standing need for blood at the blood bank.

Members of the group, particularly its West Coast Demerara (WCD) branch, said giving blood is a life-saving gesture for the person or persons in need of blood. The absence or presence of blood at the crucial moment means life or death for a patient.
The group was able to secure 17 units of blood for the bank.

Blood is used for elective surgeries (hysterectomies, mastectomy, etc.) as well as emergency surgeries, (especially in motor vehicular accidents and for victims of crime). It is required for treating patients suffering from cancer, bleeding disorders, chronic anaemia associated with cancer, sickle cell anaemia, and other hereditary blood abnormalities.
Blood is also life-saving in the maternal and child health department for complicated deliveries.

“Remember that when you decide to roll up your sleeves and sit down in that chair to give blood, know with certainty that you are making a major difference in your life and most importantly in the life of a patient,” said leader of the WCD division of the group, Sasha Rawof.

Young Pioneers, founded by Shivanie Rampersaud, is a charitable organisation that focuses on youth development and community work.
The organisation was founded in 2013, aims to expose youth to capacity building opportunities while reminding them of their duties towards society through engaging in charitable projects.

It has conducted numerous online awareness campaigns in areas of suicide prevention, body shaming, importance of the Sustainable Development Goals, gender equality, hosted food, clothing and books distributions, training sessions and workshops, visits to elderly homes and orphanages, fundraisers for patients in need of medical care and surgeries, among others.

The group is divided into various districts to expand its reach and currently groups are in three locations, West Bank-West Coast Demerara, East Coast Demerara-Georgetown and Berbice with approximately 22 members.