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Summer Blood Drive Encourages Young People to Become Blood Donors

The Bermuda Blood Donor Centre is launching a Summer Blood Drive beginning 10 June and running through 30 August. While the need for donors remains constant throughout the year, it is hoped college students returning home for the summer, as well as other young adults, will consider becoming donors. Anyone donating blood during the blood drive will be entered into a draw to win one of two cell phones, kindly donated by Digicel Bermuda Limited.

Currently, less than 2% of Bermuda’s eligible population, or about 1100 people, are donors. The World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that in developed countries like Bermuda, about 6% of the population donates. WHO also reports that in many jurisdictions, 30% of donors are under the age of twenty-five. In Bermuda, less than 4% of our donors are under twenty-five.

Dr Eyitayo Fakunle, BHB Medical Director of the Blood Transfusion Service, said: “We would really like to encourage younger people to consider becoming donors this year. As our current pool of donors grows older, we must recruit members of the younger generation to replace them. While we are grateful for everyone in our community who chooses to donate blood, we would love to see people in their 20s and 30s become donors. In an effort to reach this particular group, we are most grateful to five young Bermudian athletes who have agreed to be advocates for blood donation. Paralympian Jessica Lewis, WBA Middleweight Champion Teresa Perozzi, Bermuda Lawn Tennis Association’s number one seed, Gavin Manders, Bermuda 800m record holder Aaron Evans and PGA Member Michael Sims are all local role models who are featured in posters being widely distributed this month.”

Contact the Blood Donor Centre at 236-5067 or email blood.donor@bhb.bm to learn about becoming a blood donor. Give the gift of life- donate blood.