Health Minister Donates: World Blood Donor Day
Minister of Health Zane DeSilva visited the Bermuda Blood Donor Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital today [June 13] in honour of World Blood Donor Day tomorrow. The Minister donated exactly one pint of blood in a bid to pump life into the hospital’s appeal for more blood donors.
“I am keen to do whatever I can to bring attention to the importance of giving blood,” said Minister DeSilva. “It doesn’t take very long, is relatively painless and means you will ultimately be saving lives in Bermuda. And you never know when it could be you who will someday need that precious gift returned.”
The Minister added: “The nurses and staff at KEMH were extremely personable and attentive and for that I want to thank them, along with the many residents who regularly make the altruistic choice to donate blood on a regular basis.”
The hospital uses more than 2,200 units of blood each year. Whole blood can be separated into three components: platelets, which have a shelf life of 7 days; red cells, which can be stored for up to 42 days; and plasma, which is frozen and has a shelf life of one year.
Medical Director of the Blood Transfusion Service at KEMH, Dr. Eyitayo Fakunle, said: “KEMH collects and transfuses approximately 50 units of blood a week and that most of that blood goes to surgical and medical patients. In spite of perceptions, a very small percentage of our collected blood goes to trauma patients.
“In trauma cases, an increased number of blood products are needed per case, which usually puts a strain on our stocks and most of the time we have to arrange emergency clinics to ensure adequate stocks for other patients. In our quest to ensure adequate blood supply in Bermuda, we face quite a few unique challenges, including our isolated geographical location.”
All donated blood is collected locally. Approximately 51 new donors were added to the Blood Donor Centre’s list in the past six months through its very active blood donor recruitment programme. Because blood donors may be relocating or retiring, there is a constant need for new donors. The World Health Organization recommends that a country’s donor pool have at least 30% of donors under the age of 25; Bermuda is below that expectation.
Bermuda has approximately 1100 active donors, which constitutes about 2% of the population- a number which Dr. Fakunle and his team would like to see increase to 4%.
Activities planned by the hospital for World Blood Donor Week include a lobby display and lectures for healthcare professionals on blood donation and the history of blood transfusion.
To donate blood contact the Bermuda Blood Donor Centre at 236-5067 or visit their Facebook page at Betsie Blood-Drop.
Read More About
Category: All
Must be an election year. How often does the Minister (or any Minister) donate blood?
Not to mention the more beneficial apheresis procedure.
Election year or not. Raising awareness as well as donating blood himself (even it is just once) has the possibility to help any one of us or our loved ones.
Hon. Zane doesn’t look too happy and perhaps it’s political ! But at least he DID it and his ‘pint’ will help save a life. All those others in politics and all healthy folks out there who don’t donate, need to remember that they may need blood one day. What would happen if there was no donor for them ??? It’s everyone’s civic duty to call the Blood Donor Centre ( 236-5067 ) and offer to become a blood donor.
SAVE A LIFE – DONATE BLOOD !