Many young and active blood donors in Anguilla, comprising members of the public and health workers, were awarded Certificates of Appreciation on Tuesday this week and were referred to as ‘quiet heroes/heroines’ for their voluntary service.
The award ceremony was held at the Princess Alexandra Hospital Laboratory in observance of World Blood Donor Day on June 14, under the theme “Celebrating the gift of blood.”

Blood Donors with Certificates of Appreciation

Anguilla observed the event a day later due to Monday having been a public holiday, in recognition of the Official Birthday of Queen Elizabeth ll.

Senior Medical Technologist, Everette Duncan, who chaired the ceremony, expressed gratitude to all who donated and continue to donate blood in order to save lives. She said that this year’s Blood Donor Day was focused on young people in order to increase awareness among them about the need to, and importance of contributing to the saving of lives.

She noted that Anguilla, and all other countries around the world, were dependent on donations by the families and friends of patients who required blood. She pointed out that evidence from around the world had shown that voluntary and unpaid donors were the foundation of a safe blood supply and were the least likely to transmit potentially life-threatening infections such as HIV and hepatitis viruses.

“It is our hope that a new generation of blood donors will follow your example… to provide the safest blood whenever, and wherever, it is needed to save lives,” she told the local donors.

Acting Chief Executive Officer of the Health Authority of Anguilla, Ralph Hodge, noted that the hospital was in need of a blood bank, but that the cost was US$50,000 which would be a welcome gift. He commended the staff of the Pathology Unit for providing exceptional patient care and, though small, for being very qualified to carry out a wide-range of pathology services.

He encouraged members of the public to be positive responders to the gift of blood and to be voluntary donors to help save life.

Mr. Ralph Hodge, Ms. Duncan (4th from left) and staff

Minister of Health, the Hon. Edison Baird, said that recruiting and retaining of young blood donors not only improved the long-term safety and sufficiency of a country’s blood supply, but also promoted safe and healthy lifestyles.

“The need for blood is increasing in all parts of the world,” he went on. “Young people can make an important contribution to donating blood by recruiting other youngsters to become donors. Initiatives such as Young Ambassadors’ programmes, Club 25 and media campaigns directed towards young audiences, and other youth-oriented activities, will help bring ‘new blood to the world.’

“On the celebration of World Blood Donor Day 2010, we would like to thank you, our voluntary blood donors, for your unselfish act and love and want to encourage you to continue. With your help, we can achieve the Melbourne Declaration 2005.”

That declaration calls on all Governments to achieve 100% voluntary non-remunerated donations of blood by 2020 as the cornerstone of their blood policies, in accordance with World Health Assembly resolutions.

Mr. Baird assisted in the presentation of the Certificates of Appreciation to the Blood donors in Anguilla.

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