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Last Updated: Dec 16, 2017 - 9:53:45 PM |
FREEPORT, Bahamas - The Blood Donors Society of Grand Bahama (BDSGB) hosted its first ever blood drive, the Give the Gift of Life Campaign, in the foyer of the
Rand Memorial Hospital last weekend.
BDSGB President Lededra Marche was overjoyed that the men outnumbered the women and over the fact that the sponsors who jumped onboard immediately on hearing about the life- saving cause.
"It was so heartwarming seeing those beds filled and knowing that everyone was coming out to give of themselves for people they didn't even know. That's what it's all about, giving the gift of life and expecting nothing in return," Marche said.
The donors, some of them husband and wife teams, did, however, receive a small treat as a thank you, compliments of FOCOL. Prizes were also give out for the first female and first male.
“What's even more exciting,” Marche pointed out, “was the fact that everyone who donated joined our Volunteer Blood Donors Registry and that was our ultimate goal for having the drive.
"We want to say a big thank you to the Grand Bahama Health Services and the Bahamas Red Cross Grand Bahama Centre for partnering with us in this initiative. Also, to the many sponsors who came onboard like Subway Restaurants, Western Bakery, Coca Cola, Millennial Designs & Printing, Total Media Bahamas, The Jeanie Express Courier Services, Imagine Graphics & Printing, Trinity Fashion, Office Plus, Kelly's and FOCOL," Marche said.
“The radio stations, The Broadcasting Corporation of The Bahamas, Love97, Dove, KISSFM and Global99.5, have also been wonderful.”
The BDSGB is now planning for the next blood drive scheduled for April 2018 when they expect those who have expressed interest in coming onboard will do so and help to make next year's event an even greater success.
"We’re a six-month old organization and we are excited about getting the word out about the selfless act of giving blood, the warm feeling you get inside when you do and the fact that it is actually the one thing that you cannot say you don't have," Marche added.
"We're not asking people to give money, we're asking everyone to give blood. Now, if, for whatever reason you can't give, you can give money to help the organization reach its goals which is to get as many people on the Volunteer Blood Donor Registry. The next is to work toward getting Corporate Grand Bahama to come onboard and help us purchase a big red bus to be able to go out into the community with the blood drives."
The organization plans on hitting the ground harder next year and going into the schools, business houses, churches and speaking to civic organizations to educate the public, dispel the myths and recruit more donors.
© Copyright 2017 by thebahamasweekly.com
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