GUYANA Sugar Corporation (GuySuCo) is the most recent partner of the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), its Coordinator Ms. Shameeza Mangal disclosed.
She told the Guyana Chronicle, with that support, the Blood Bank has scheduled a collection drive for tomorrow at Albion in Corentyne, Berbice. “We have 50 possible donors and that will be a boost for the Bank,” Mangal said, noting that blood drives in December are very rare.
She said the last such exercise was hosted by the Guyana Red Cross Society (GRCS), which does it monthly, when an average of 15 units are collected.
However, the latest only secured nine units.
Mangal said: “We are appealing for people to come in and become voluntary donors.”
Volunteers are welcome at all five sites nationwide, the NBTS headquarters in Georgetown, West Demerara Regional, New Amsterdam, Suddie and Linden hospitals and Mangal emphasised that members of the general public, who can give the gift of life, should recognise the importance of such a contribution.
“Giving blood is a safe practise and good for the body. It gives you a chance to make new cells and get rid of old ones,” she offered.
Mangal said the Blood Bank would assist in facilitating group contributions to the Good Samaritan Programme, Guyana’s flagship donor recruitment scheme.
It is designed to encourage all adult Guyanese to become blood donors and, through it, the Health Ministry aims to recruit at least 7,000 regular givers.
Persons requiring further information can call telephone number 227-0418.