The Guyana Bank for Trade and Industry (GBTI), Water Street Branch on Thursday conducted its seventh annual blood drive, where employees and customers were given an opportunity to save lives.
World Blood Donor Day 2019 is marked for celebration on Friday, honouring persons who have made blood contributions in the past.
As such, GBTI partnered with the National Blood Transfusion Service and took the responsibility of facilitating the exercise as part of their corporate responsibility.
Acting Branch Manager, Raymond Ford explained that employees were willingly taking up the mantle of assisting in whatever way they could.
“This activity, while it is initiated by the staff at Water Street, we are positive that we have the full support of staff across the entire network and even customers come in and give us the support. We can say with all certainty that we will continue to host this activity on a yearly basis. Employees are donating blood.”
He emphasised that donating blood is very important, hence the decision to continue this venture.
“We’re very pleased to know that at GBTI Water Street, we are in support of this very worthy cause whereby we can actually marshal people together in aid of people who might be in need of blood. It’s a very worthwhile venture because it can be your daughter, child or friend who might be in need of blood.
One of the staff members of the National Blood Transfusion Service, Staunza Bamfield, expressed that they have been partnering with small and large companies to acquire the much-needed units of blood.
She added that the response at GBTI was overwhelming.
“GBTI is one of our collaborators. We’re proud to be here and this initiative is wonderful. The staff is great and the response is tremendous. Once you call us, we’re happy to respond,” she explained.
Throughout the day, many persons would have contributed to the cause and they were able to raise a significant amount of units. While this is a usual activity at the bank, they are also planning a health fair, which will be executed during the latter part of this year.
In January, a total of 30 units were raised through a similar exercise at the Water Street Branch. The Blood Bank is always in need of blood, given the constant demand from patients across the country. In some occasions, the organisation also face shortages.
