Blood donors declared heroes

Blood donors called heroes on World Blood Donor Day
Blood donors called heroes on World Blood Donor Day

Those who selflessly donate their life’s blood to help save lives have been called heroes.

Lab Superintendent Catherina Jemmott made the declaration at a brief ceremony in honour of the blood donors on the occasion of World Blood Donor day, on Friday June 13, 2014.

“Donors today we declare you our heroes,” She said, “for whatever field of science that we fancy ourselves to be experts at in our critical need for blood to save lives you are the ones that we turn to. By your selfless act of love, you respond to the need, and because we recognize that without you, the world would be a smaller place, we have dedicated an entire day in your honour.”

Jemmott also stated that they were facing a challenge at the Blood Bank of the Princess Margaret Hospital.

“The challenge, however, is to increase our pool of voluntary blood donors, those who will walk in from time to time to donate blood. Those we can call on at any time night or day to respond to an urgent need for blood. It is in you to give to help save a life,” she noted.

This year’s theme is “Safe Blood for Saving Mothers.”

Obstetrician Gynaecologist, Dr. Bianca Roberts, who delivered the feature address, said blood is important to mothers since from the time that expectant mothers come into the clinic to book, they are asked to get a blood group, a blood test and to find out if their haemoglobin is at a normal level; if their blood is clotting properly; if they have any blood disease etc.

“Why is it important to know all of that?” She asked, “It is important because later on in the pregnancy, demand for blood becomes essential.”

According to her, mothers lose a lot of blood during delivery as in the case of a normal vaginal delivery, they can lose up to 500 mls and during a caesarean section, they can lose up to a litter.

“Now that is normal standards but usually they lose less, but there are those who lose that and more. We will never stop the need for blood because that is what carries oxygen for us…it is essential for life.”

Several donors were given t-shirts as a gesture of appreciation.

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10 Comments

  1. unfair
    June 18, 2014

    Wi have a group at the dominica red corss call culb 25 mainly to donate an they make no mention of it.

  2. Hero Worship
    June 16, 2014

    Is not that we don’t want to donate nuh…all of us in Dominica have pressure, diabetes, cholesterol etc….de lab doh taking our blood. :lol: :lol:

  3. optimistic
    June 16, 2014

    i’m one of the donors, my wish is to help as many people as possible, however if I can save one life my work’s done-WILL CONTINUE TO DONATE-nuff love and blessings to all

  4. ladyj
    June 14, 2014

    Hats off to these heroes. God bless you guys

  5. Lavie
    June 14, 2014

    Thanks to all the blood donors. Thanks for being selfless and helping to save precious lives.

  6. fill
    June 14, 2014

    May God bless all the blood donors for the good deed saving lives. Thanks for the donors my sister is alive.

  7. Satelite
    June 13, 2014

    My blood type is O negative, I would like to renew my donorship

  8. humble_me
    June 13, 2014

    This is LOVE!

  9. Rea
    June 13, 2014

    Jesus said that whatever you do to the least of my brothers/sisters, you do it unto me. God bless you donors.

  10. Nurse Roach
    June 13, 2014

    Thanks be to The Almighty father for working a miracle for me through the voluntary blood donors and those who came on the spot to help save my life.
    i am Nurse Debra Roach Philip and i am alive ten years later because of blood donors all around Dominica.
    I must commend the outstanding performance of the staff of the PMH Medical lab and more specifically the staff of the blood bank for the tremendous effort they all together produced beyond their call of duty to help save my life.
    Today I feel honored that on the very morning of my incident i was on a drive calling for blood donors for another patient who needed that same day not knowing I was doing it for myself as well. That was God lead..
    Thanks Thanks Thanks Thanks to all blood donors, you help save my life with your blood.
    i call the general public to help save a life and you will not regret it,. May the Lord bless and keep all blood donors.
    On behalf of my family thank you .

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