BVI Red Cross implores public to become blood donors
The BVI Red Cross has recently launched its online blood donor campaign to encourage members of the public to become a part of the Red Cross donor registry.
In a press release today, the BVI Red Cross said there has been an overwhelming request for blood donations by persons admitted at the hospital for surgeries and other medical-related emergencies.
However, according to the media release, the main challenge is that persons are not coming forward to donate blood, especially persons with rare blood types. These include O Negative, AB Positive and AB Negative.
The organisation noted that of all the blood types, O Negative is usually in short supply because this blood type is very rare. The O Negative blood type is routinely in short supply and high demand because it comes from a universal donor. This means doctors can administer the O Negative blood type to anyone in an emergency. However, people with this blood type can only accept blood from someone else with an O Negative blood type.
Another challenge the Red Cross face in maintaining the blood registry is the population of the territory. The Virgin Islands is very small, and blood only has a shelf life of up to 42 days. Therefore, persons would be required to give blood regularly to maintain the registry.
Also, persons who are interested in donating blood and has COVID-19 should wait 14 days following a diagnosis to donate blood, according to the organisation. The Red Cross said the COVID-19 vaccine does not restrict anyone from donating blood. There is no need to wait to give blood if a person has received a non-replicating, inactivated, or RNA based COVID-19 vaccine manufactured by AstraZeneca, Janssen/J&J, Moderna, Novavax, or Pfizer.
Blood donations are critical in medical procedures such as surgery, treatment of cancer and management of specific diseases. Every year over 100 million units of blood are donated to save lives. To find out more about blood donation and how to become a donor visit https://redcross.vg/how-we-help/giveblood/.
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Good day , to be honest I’m not surprised ! I’ve gone numerous times and it was a very bad experience. ! You’re left ignored in the waiting room and there seems to be no proper communication system or procedure in the office to handle the “ donators”. I had a blood sample taken and was told it would have to go to an outside lab as the “ machine” was not working in their lab???? “ come back tomorrow “. !! Mind you , I’m thinking .. what’s going to happen the poor patient in need. and this time being wasted !? Next day I return…” oh .. the lady dealing with you is off”! I suggested someone confirm the results and kindly proceed as I had to return to work ! The manager came out ten minutes later , “ I’ll have to take another sample and you will have to come back the next day ! Am… sorry .. no ! After recovering from this annoying experience .. and btw. No one called me back with the results. I tried again .. three months later. . same thing. Oh except. … the lab closes at 3! But … what about this emergency I said. It seemed urgent !! That’s right everyone. All together now. “ come back tomorrow “!! You could really bleed to death there I tell ya !
Dem vaxxed nah want my blood
I highly suggest implementing an incentive system within the donor registry. Provide a donor card where when you donate pints it’s recorded. You can then use your accumulated pints for yourself or donate to others by providing your card at lab/blood bank or registry. This will incentive more persons to come in and donate blood knowing that there is a better chance of them being able to receive blood in case of emergency and need.