Blood donors have one of the most important roles in life; being able to give someone a chance to live a normal life again. Hence the reason, every year on 14 June, they are acknowledged and celebrated for their contributions, as well as to bring awareness to persons about the importance of donating blood.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has given a mandate that every country should have 100% voluntary blood donors by 2020. However, Grenada’s current situation is far from this. With a population of just about 100,000, and approximately 150 active voluntary donors, there is an obvious shortage.

The Barnacle News Team held an exclusive interview with Nurse Karen Jolly, the Blood Procurement Officer attached to the General Hospital. According to her, in Grenada, there are two types of donors; the Family Replacement Donors and the Voluntary Donors. The Family Replacement Donors are those who give blood to family members in their time of need. However, they are hoping to completely eliminate this type of donor, as it can create some complications especially if the donor is not completely honest about his/her lifestyle and social habits. “So, sometimes, the lies go with the bag of blood to the patient.”

The Voluntary Donors, however, are the ones that are called upon by the Hospital to donate, or they can go in no more than 4 times per year, to donate to the blood bank. According to Nurse Jolly, these are the preferred donors, as they tend to live a more “controlled” life, meaning they don’t use excessive amounts of alcohol, smoke or engage in unprotected promiscuity.

All donors are thoroughly screened for HIV, HTLV, Hepatitis B&C, Syphilis and their kidney and liver functions are checked as well.

This year, the theme for World Blood Donor Day is ‘Blood Connects Us All’ and according to Nurse Jolly, it couldn’t have been timelier. Donors get to connect with each other as well as to give someone another chance to reconnect with their families and relatives.

Raising awareness about the importance of being a donor is something that Nurse Jolly takes quite seriously, as there is an increase in the demand for blood – more persons are being diagnosed with cancers, more surgeries being done, more premature babies are being born etc. Therefore, there is a need to ensure that there is a reliable supply of blood in the blood bank at all times. “It’s a constant challenge to keep the blood bank afloat,” said Nurse Jolly.

It is understood that some persons a fearful about donating for various reasons, including fear of needles, fear of seeing blood and fear of knowing their status, hence the reason they need to be educated.

So why is it important to give blood? Besides, giving your body the opportunity to rejuvenate its cells after donating blood, one of the most critical reasons, is being able to save someone else’s life. “The blood you give today, can save your life tomorrow,” said Nurse Jolly. She went on to encourage persons not to wait until a family member is sick as the screening process takes 6-8 hours, and a lot can happen during that time.

The act of donating blood is something that takes guts and not any one can do it. Kudos to those who are donors for they are giving an irreplaceable gift to someone else!

The Barnacle News Team caught up with a gentleman who has been a donor for approximately 8 years, Mr Phillip Andrews. According to him, he became a donor after looking at a news clip, which stated the importance of giving blood. “I think it’s very important to do that because it helps save life, I don’t know what might happen with me one day.”

While at the Lab, a young lady by the name of Meryl Richardson, gave her input. Ms Richardson was there to get her blood screened in order to help save a friend’s life. She told the Barnacle News Team, that her friend was like a sister to her, and she wanted to help, and she wants her to come back home as quickly as possible to look after her new born.

Ms Richardon’s story, though short, was touching, as it showed a remarkable strength in friendship through the connection of blood. Once she is able to donate, she stated that she will be back.