JGRA continues successful blood drive

Anthony Minott, Gleaner Writer

The Jamaica Gasolene Retailers Association (JGRA), in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank), recently staged another successful blood drive at the JGRA's offices in King's Plaza, Constant Spring Road, St Andrew.

At the end of the collection drive, 75 persons had each given a unit of blood.

"This was a really a successful blood drive, thanks to the staff at the Blood Bank, members of the JGRA, Power 106 FM, and the volunteers that assisted," said Sandra Kenny, who chairs the JGRA's Road Safety Committee.

The estimated annual blood transfusion need in Jamaica is 60,000 units. A donor can donate one unit every three months.

The JGRA is taking a proactive approach to road safety and has committed to the blood drive. "People might be saying that we at the JGRA should be doing projects geared at preventing crashes. But accidents do happen sometimes, so we are doing a blood drive so we can save the lives of accident victims," Kenny said.

"We are planning another blood drive in June. This event will be a part of the JGRA's Road Safety Awareness Month activities," she added.

Keishawna Pinnock, assistant blood donor organiser at the Blood Bank, said "... this open blood drive facilitated not only members donating, but was open to the wider business community. In keeping with the vision shared by both entities, the event allowed for many lives to be saved and we are indebted to the JGRA for this fruitful partnership".

Derrick Thompson, president of the JGRA, said that the blood-drive project is personally important as a close friend, who is also a member of the JGRA, was involved in a motor vehicle crash and needed blood. Other members of the JGRA agreed to a blood drive and the organisation's Road Safety Committee took responsibility for the project.

The JGRA's motto, 'In Service, We Serve', embraces its commitment not only to its members, but to its customers and the wider community.