Thanks to all blood donors

EACH YEAR on June 14, countries all over the world celebrate World Blood Donor Day jointly with the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO). The focus this year is on blood donations in emergencies.

The lives and health of millions of people are affected by emergencies every year. In the last decade, disasters have caused more than one million deaths worldwide, with more than 250 million people being affected by emergencies annually.

Blood transfusion is an essential component of emergency health care. Emergencies increase the demand for blood transfusion and make its delivery challenging and complex. The adequate supply of blood during emergencies requires a wellorganised blood service, and this can only be ensured by engaging the entire community and a blood donor population committed to voluntary, unpaid donation throughout the year.

Evidence has demonstrated that the blood stock from voluntary, unpaid donors is the safest blood stock for a country. 2019 is the target year for all countries and territories in the Region of the Americas to obtain 100 per cent of blood supplies from voluntary, unpaid donors. In 2015, only 12 countries or territories have 100 per cent voluntary donations.

The focus of the world’s campaign this year is on blood donation in emergencies. In any crisis or emergency, the natural human response is ‘What can I do? How can I help?’. Therefore, the slogan for our 2017 campaign is: ‘What can you do? Give blood. Give now. Give often’.

The campaign underscores the role every single person can play in helping others in emergency situations by giving the valuable gift of blood. It also focuses on the fact that it is important to give blood regularly so that the blood stock is sufficient before an emergency arises.

PAHO commends all donors in Jamaica who are voluntarily giving their blood. On World Blood Donor Day, we say thanks to all donors who, by giving their blood, have saved people’s lives.

We are also urging all other Jamaicans eligible to donate blood to do so before disaster strikes by giving blood ... NOW and REGULARLY.

PAHO will continue to cooperate with the National Blood Transfusion Service of the Ministry of Health and all other partners in moving towards 100 per cent voluntary blood donation in Jamaica.

Dr Noreen Jack PAHO/WHO representative in Jamaica