Copyright caymancompass
The Cayman Islands Blood Bank has sent 51 units of red blood cells and 72 units of plasma to Jamaica’s National Blood Transfusion Service as part on ongoing relief efforts following Hurricane Melissa. The donation, sent on 31 Oct., was the first of what the Health Services Authority-run Blood Bank said would be multiple donations to the neighbouring island, which is coping with the aftermath of the Category 5 storm. After the local blood bank issued an urgent appeal for donations last week to help Jamaican victims, 65 people, including 13 new donors, came forward to give blood. “This extraordinary turnout demonstrates the generosity and solidarity of our community,” said Dr. Lundie Richards, consultant haematologist-oncologist at the Health Services Authority and lead for blood bank and transfusion services, in a statement. He added, “As a Jamaican, the support that Cayman has shown has left a profound effect on me. This is truly humanity in one of its greatest forms – the opportunity to give back, give blood, and give Caymankind to our neighbours in need.” Richards said collecting 65 pints and one platelet unit in just a couple of days, when the typical daily number are under 10, “speaks volumes about our donors’ compassion and commitment not only to Cayman but to regional health and well-being”. Those blood donations, accompanied by Richards, were flown to Jamaica on board a Cayman Airways flight on Friday. Appeal for blood donations continue The death toll from the storm had risen to 28 by Saturday, Jamaica Prime Minister Andrew Holness said at a press briefing. The storm also claimed at least 31 lives in Haiti, and at least two deaths were reported in the Dominican Republic, according to media reports. On Saturday, Jamaica’s Ministry of Health and Wellness continued to appeal for blood donations to help patients who had been injured in the 185-mile-per-hour storm, which was the strongest in recorded history to hit the island. Jamaica’s health minister, Christopher Tufton, speaking at a press conference, said the hurricane had disrupted routine blood collection and storage operations across several parishes on the island. “Accident and emergency trauma cases are a big issue now and we have to give support,” he said. “So we are making a special appeal for blood, because in those parishes where persons have been traumatised or are trying to help themselves and are getting into accidents, we do need supplies of blood and other supplies to support them… so I make that appeal.” Dr. Joseph Marzouca, honorary consul of Jamaica in the Cayman Islands, said he was “deeply touched by our Cayman donor community’s generosity”, adding that the donation “strengthens the bonds between our islands and shows that lifesaving care knows no borders”. The Health Services Authority and Blood Bank said this donation was not a one-off event, but part of a broader effort to strengthen regional health collaboration and emergency preparedness. With the current influx of donors, it said, it will continue in-house collection, with plans to resume mobile blood drives in the coming weeks once staffing allows. Lizzette Yearwood, chief executive officer at the HSA, encouraged donors to continue to come forward. “The donation already on its way can save at least 120 lives, but the need for ready, willing blood donors remains ongoing, both locally and regionally,” she said. “Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, so consistent donations are necessary.” Health Minister Katherine Ebanks-Wilks said the blood donation from Cayman to Jamaica reflected “Caribbean solidarity at its best”. “I applaud every donor and everyone involved for turning compassion into action. Our health systems are stronger when we support each other, and today’s achievement is proof. I encourage anyone in good health who meets the standard eligibility criteria to schedule an appointment with the Cayman Islands Blood Bank and donate, not just for our neighbours in Jamaica who need it, but also for our own community, as maintaining our national blood supply is essential,” she said. The Cayman Islands Blood Bank is located at the Anthony S. Eden Hospital, 95 Hospital Road, George Town, and is open Monday to Friday, 7am to 6:30pm, and Saturdays, 9am to 5pm.
