The Bahamas Telecommunications Company (BTC) will host its ninth annual BTC Blood Drive on Saturday June 13th at the Mall at Marathon. The BTC Blood Drive, under the theme ‘Thank you for saving my Life’ will be held in conjunction with Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH), Doctor’s Hospital and the Bahamas Red Cross.
Over the past eight years, BTC has facilitated the collection of over 3,000 pints of blood for the blood bank. Eldri Ferguson Mackey, BTC VP of Marketing and Communications said each year their blood drives collect more than the year before as awareness grows. “Nine years ago, BTC answered an urgent plea by PMH for blood. Within forty-eight hours we were able to mobilize and put together a blood drive to assist the hospital. Every year, we work along with the hospitals to commemorate World Blood Donor Day and to increase the awareness of the importance of giving blood. We encourage as many persons that are able to give blood on Saturday to come out the Mall at Marathon and participate.”
Both PMH and Doctors Hospital will be ready and fully equipped to handle the donors on Saturday. Potential donors should bring an identification, be at least seventeen years old and eat at least four hours prior to giving blood.
Doctors Hospital Blood Bank Supervisor said they were happy to team up with BTC. “We are always happy to partner with BTC for their annual blood drive,” said Zonja Bain, Doctors Hospital Blood Bank Supervisor, “not only are we able to get much needed units of blood to stock up our blood bank supply, but it’s a great way to team up to educate the wider public on the importance of donating blood on a regular basis.”
Mrs. Caroline Turnquest, the Red Cross Director General, said that her team will be providing first aid and other assistance as needed and also promoting their free apps for mobile phones. “We want people to download our free Apps – we have two – ‘Hazards’ and ‘Bahamas First Aid’, both of which give topic related information and advice and are extremely informative and useful.”
The BTC Blood Drive will take place between 10:00 a.m. and 6:00 p.m. on Saturday June 13th at the Mall at Marathon; the general public is urged to consider giving blood as a personal donation to their community. BTC will also host Blood Drives in Grand Bahama and Abaco. The BTC Blood Drive will be held in Grand Bahama at the Circle Mall on June 27th and another on July 4th in Abaco from 10:00 a.m. until 3:00 p.m. at the Parish Hall.
Serena Williams
