A total of 68 pints of blood were collected on Saturday, November 7th at a blood drive held inside the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. This was the last blood drive for the year organized by the Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB). It was considered one of the most successful events in recent years, and the BRCSPB thanks all the businesses, donors and volunteers that came out to show support.
The last blood drive of 2019 only yielded 11 pints, being one of the lowest recorded. It is believed that due to the involvement of several businesses on the island, a large number of persons were drawn to this most recent event. Blood drives are important because a healthy supply of blood is needed to save lives in cases of emergencies. The blood collected is stored at the Blood Bank in Belize City, available to anyone that may need a transfusion. One pint of blood can save up to three people. Over the past years, the number of pints collected has drastically decreased, and as a result, when a patient urgently needs a blood transfusion, his or her family is required to find donors at the last minute. If proper donors cannot be identified, someone can literally die.
BRCSPB stated that up to 100 persons, both volunteers and donors, made their way to the Polyclinic on Saturday. According to them, the number of pints of blood collected could have been more than 68, but 19 persons could not donate for one reason or another.
On Ambergris Caye, for any blood emergency, BRCSPB’s Ashty Dennison can be reached via text at 615-4300, with the name of the person in need of the blood, blood type, amount, and name of the medical center where the patient is located.
The local Red Cross branch would like to thank everyone who supported this last blood drive of 2020. Special thanks go to the donors, and sponsors: Mahogany Bay Village, Alaia Foundation, AW-Some Productions, Island Buzz, Ramon’s Village/Pineapples, Victoria House, and Waves Bar and Grill.
The next blood drive is expected to take place in February, 2021.
