JMMB team makes a difference through blood donation
“WHEN WE meet real tragedy in life, we can react in two ways – either by losing hope and falling into selfdestructive habits, or by using the challenge to find our inner strength.” This quote, from the Dalai Lama, aptly describes the nature of the circumstances that led to Jamaica Money Market Brokers’(JMMB) Tonianne Rankine’s decision to find her inner strength and become a blood donor.
Rankine explained that her motivation to become a donor was uncovered as she experienced at first-hand the importance of blood donation in saving the lives of others – when her now deceased father underwent two surgeries as he battled a terminal illness.
She shared that although the surgeries and blood donation did not save her father’s life, the self-professed ‘daddy’s girl,’ acknowledged that the surgeries prolonged his life. She added that the experience propelled her to want to make a difference in the lives of others in the same way that a blood donor did in her father’s life.
“I see the difference I can make in the lives of others by doing something as simple as donating blood for a critical purpose – like saving someone’s life,” Rankine said.
POINT OF DUTY
Since her father’s first surgery in 2003, she stated that she has donated at least 10 times, making it a point of duty to participate in events such as the JMMB Group annual blood drive, which took place recently at the company’s head office in New Kingston.
The event saw scores of JMMB Group team members and their families from its Corporate Area and Portmore branches contributing to the cause. Simone Dunbar, lead organiser of the annual event and human resource administration manager at JMMB, said the company sees this partnership with the National Blood Transfusion Service (the Blood Bank) as an opportunity to share the love and save lives.
“We are responding to the call of the recurring shortage of blood supply in Jamaica. Our team members have benefited from blood donations in the past and so we understand the value of these donations and therefore encourage voluntary blood donation among our team with our annual blood drive,” Dunbar said.
Teverly Gray, electronic services manager and repeat blood donor, said her motivation was spurred by her family and her own altruistic nature. “I include a reminder in my calendar about the company’s blood drive and at three-month intervals following (JMMB’s blood drive), to ensure that I give at least twice per year,” Gray said.
“Blood transfusion is a critical part of the treatment regimen for patients who have been hospitalised, and so voluntary blood donation helps to improve the quality of health care of patients and reduce their hospital wait time; blood is essential medicine,” said Igol Allen, blood donor organiser, National Blood Transfusion Service.