Sponsors help JIS stage successful blood drive

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS), in association with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS), exceeded a target of 50 units of blood in a collection drive held at the agency's headquarters on Tuesday.

A total of 54 units were collected, with the aim of providing at least a quarter of the daily supplies needed by the nation's hospitals.

Chief Executive Officer of JIS Donna-Marie Rowe said the agency was grateful for the partnerships that made the initiative a success and that JIS was able to use its various media to educate the public on becoming blood donors. "We are quite proud of the support that the blood drive has garnered. NBTS has always pointed out to us that this is a great need, and it is important for us that people see and understand the process of donating blood," she said.

According to Rowe, the need to join the appeal for blood and take the step of staging a drive was cemented when it hit close to home. "Recently, we had a staff member who needed blood urgently and this has just driven it home for us that we need to get on board and do our part to save a life through donating blood," she explained.

AMAZING DAY

Manager of the JIS Radio Department, Lorraine Mendez, was elated with the day's proceedings. "It has been an amazing day. We had all of our sponsors coming on board. We had NCU FM doing an outside broadcast. Cari-Med was here with their Ensure brand. Desnoes and Geddes Foundation gave us Malta and brought out 12 staff members of Red Stripe to donate blood," she stated.

The National Health Fund (NHF) also partnered with the agency by having persons sign up for NHF benefits on location.

Mendez praised the efficiency of the NBTS, team who guided the day's activities. "They were amazing. I would encourage anybody in corporate Jamaica to plan a blood drive. Just speak with NBTS because they know what they are doing," she said.