Video: Minister DeSilva Donates Blood
Minister of Health Zane DeSilva visited the Bermuda Red Cross Blood Donor Center at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital today [Dec 8] where he 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.” Minister DeSilva’s wife Joanne DeSilva also donated a pint of blood alongside her husband.
The hospital uses more than 2,200 units of blood each year. Blood has a shelf life of five days or less for platelets, 42 days for red blood cells and a year for plasma, which is why the need for donors is constant.
Medical Director of the Blood Transfusion Service at KEMH Dr. Betsie Lombard said KEMH collects and transfuses approximately 50 units of blood a week and that most of that blood goes to surgical or medical patients.
“In spite of perceptions, a very small percentage of our collected blood goes to trauma patients,” Dr. Lombard explained. “In trauma cases, a large amount of blood is needed at once which stresses our stocks and we usually need to arrange emergency clinics to ensure our normal blood supply for other patients.”
Dr. Lombard added: “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 has to be collected locally. Although we have a very active blood donor recruitment programme and have added approximately 50 new donors in the past six months, we have a constant need for new donors.”
Bermuda has approximately 2000 to 2500 active donors, which constitutes about 3.3% of the population – a number which Dr. Lombard and her team would like to see increase to 6%. To donate blood contact The Bermuda Blood Donor Centre at 236-5067.
Who would want this slimey sumbag’s blood?
But you or a family member might NEED it !!!!
NOFX – watch your mouth .
I wish I was him. Wake up in the morning and decide how and when I want my face on the news.. Zane DeSilva getting a colonoscopy is not going to inspire anyone to get one and quite frankly I don’t want to hear about it.
I’d like to see how many people are rushing to the hospital to donate because Zane DeSilva did it. They don’t need a news story on him doing something to get people to do it – I don’t remember the last time I saw anything to do with the Hospital needing blood, maybe they should have put the word out there if it was that serious.
You know, it’s a bit unfair to be picking on the Minister. For a neophyte to Health, he’s doing the right things, raising awareness for the different programs and their needs. That’s what a politician SHOULD do, and not interfere with procedures and policies like our earlier premier was prone to do.
Congrats to Minister DeSilva for this. I am far from a fan of his earlier dealings, but so far he’s doing a fine job in Health.