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JIS Stages Blood Drive February 7

By: , February 3, 2017

The Key Point:

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) is appealing to members of the public to participate in its upcoming blood drive on Tuesday, February 7 at the agency’s headquarters at 58a Half-Way Tree Road.
JIS Stages Blood Drive February 7

The Facts

  • Chief Executive Officer of the JIS, Donna-Marie Rowe, said the organisation understands its corporate social responsibility and partnerships, such as this, are key to the process.
  • The JIS is being supported in the effort by the National Health Fund (NHF), the D&G Foundation, Digita Global and Cari-Med Ltd.

The Full Story

The Jamaica Information Service (JIS) is appealing to members of the public to participate in its upcoming blood drive on Tuesday, February 7 at the agency’s headquarters at 58a Half-Way Tree Road.

The blood drive is being spearheaded by the agency’s Radio Department and is in support of the appeal by the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) for persons to donate the lifesaving fluid. The drive will be from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m.

Chief Executive Officer of the JIS, Donna-Marie Rowe, said the organisation understands its corporate social responsibility and partnerships, such as this, are key to the process.

“We take our corporate social responsibility seriously here at the JIS. For several years now, our main focus has been supporting the Mt. Olivet Boys’ Home,” Mrs. Rowe said.

She noted, however, that in exploring additional ways to give back to the community, the agency, through the Radio Department, has decided to partner with the NBTS, another Government entity, to address a shortage of blood and blood products.

“The blood drive is our contribution to address a critical need to boost the supply of the Blood Bank,” she said, adding that the agency will use various media – print, television, radio and social media – to encourage more Jamaicans to become voluntary blood donors.

Manager for the JIS Radio Department, Lorraine Mendez, said that although it is a relatively small drive with a target of 50 units, the impact is expected to be significant.

“Our hospitals require about 200 units of blood daily, so we believe that if we can contribute at least a quarter of that number, then we would have made a difference,” Mrs. Mendez said.

In the meantime, Blood Donor Organiser at the NBTS, Igol Allen, informed that the shelf life of blood is 35 days, so a constant supply of donors is needed to ensure that the stock is always being replenished. He described the JIS initiative as timely and expressed gratitude to the agency on behalf of NBTS.

“Partnerships like these are a very important part of our public education and awareness thrust and the JIS is able to reach many through its various media. We are grateful for the publicity which can only serve to help the cause and, ultimately, Jamaica,” Mr. Allen said.

The JIS is being supported in the effort by the National Health Fund (NHF), the D&G Foundation, Digita Global and Cari-Med Ltd.

The NBTS or Blood Bank has an annual target of approximately 60,000 units of blood.

Last Updated: February 3, 2017

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