JWN employees’ culture of donating blood

IN AN effort to give back to Jamaica in a sustainable way, J. Wray and Nephew Limited (JWN), a subsidiary of the Campari Group, recently hosted their annual blood drive at the company’s offices on Spanish Town Road.

In collaboration with the Blood Bank of Jamaica, JWN, a major player in the global branded beverage industry, underscored the importance of saving lives, with scores of employees donating blood to save lives.

According to Shevan Chin Fah En, occupational health nurse at JWN, each year the organisation embraces the annual event, as they believe that they can make a difference in the lives of many Jamaicans.

“Blood donation is of paramount importance in global healthcare. It is crucial for patients undergoing surgery, coping with trauma, managing chronic illnesses, and battling cancer. This essential procedure serves as a lifeline, sustaining and saving lives,” Chin Fah En said.

The response from the employees, she said, was overwhelming. “Not all the donors work on site, and they came from different locations to participate in this initiative to save lives,” she said.

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), an entity under the Ministry of Health & Wellness, is responsible for the safe collection and storage of blood for transfusion purposes. The NBTS aims to supply at least 75 per cent of all blood that is requested.

Blood donations are important, as one unit of blood can save up to three lives. According to Igol Allen, blood donor organiser, the Blood Bank has had a long-standing partnership with J. Wray and Nephew Limited, since the organisation’s inception in 1948. “The J. Wray and Nephew family have always been enthused to donate. They have a culture of giving back,” Allen said.

“Regular voluntary blood donation is necessary for the maintenance of adequate blood supplies and the timely access to safe blood for transfusions. As part of our mandate, we continue to meet people in the workplace, as this makes it more convenient for them to donate. People often find it challenging to visit the Blood Bank to donate, so we take the hassle out of the travelling by coming to them,” he added.

Allen indicated that with the organisation meeting only 50 per cent of the demand for blood transfusions, if two per cent of the Jamaican population donated blood once per year, they would have a sufficient supply.

“The need is so great that not only the persons who are getting the transfusion who benefit, but also their families and, by extension, their network. There isn’t a culture of donating blood; people will donate if they know somebody in need. They want to help, but there needs to be a trigger,” Allen said.

She is encouraging more persons to give the gift of blood, and reiterated that the process to donate is simple.

Meanwhile, Courtney Brooks, warehouse specialist, said he is a regular blood donor and he was elated that he was doing his part in helping others. “Many people will benefit from my donation. I am happy that I am able to give back in this way,” Brooks said.

Samara South, public affairs and government relations manager, said this was her second time in giving blood. “I love to give back and, by extension, it is important to give back. There is never sufficient blood, and based on my experience and what I have seen with others, I will become a regular donor,” South said.

keisha.hill@gleanerjm.com

Blood transfusions are used in:

• Complications of pregnancy, such as ectopic pregnancies and haemorrhage before, during or after childbirth.

• Severe anaemia, often resulting from malaria or malnutrition.

• Severe trauma following natural and man-made disasters.

• Complex medical and surgical treatment of cancer patients.

• Conditions such as thalassaemia and sickle cell disease.

• Making products, such as clotting factors, for people with haemophilia.