Minister for Health
Hon. Dwayne Seymour, JP, MLA
World Blood Donor Day Message 2017
14 June 2017

As we mark World Blood Donor Day on 14 June, I take this opportunity to remind everybody in the Cayman Islands about the importance of giving blood.

It cannot be taken for granted that there will always be blood available if you, or a loved one, need it for routine surgery or an emergency.

As suggested by this year’s theme “Give blood. Give now. Give often”, it is up to all of us to make sure that the blood bank located at the Health Services Authority has a constant and plentiful supply of blood.

While people may think of blood as needed primarily in the aftermath of accidents or surgery, it is also essential to have on-hand in case of wounds during natural disasters such as hurricanes, and has a life-saving role in maternal and perinatal care.

It can also help patients with life-threatening conditions to live longer, with a higher quality of life.

As newly appointed Minister for Health, I encourage persons to support blood donor registration drives. We held a very successful drive yesterday (Tuesday, 13 June) at the Government Administration Building, offering civil servants a convenient opportunity to sign up to give blood,

I hope that other public and private sector workplaces will follow suit and hold similar registration drives for their employees.

The Health Services Authority has set a goal of reaching 500 new donors this year and to date has 375 registered. However, as we have a transient population in the Cayman Islands, the HSA constantly needs new people to come forward.

The good news is that it is very easy to donate blood and it only takes a short time. After completing the preliminary paperwork you will be in and out of the blood bank at Cayman Islands Hospital in approximately 20 minutes.

During a blood donor registration drive, staff will be on hand to answer questions and take your details. You will then be contacted at a later date with a convenient appointment to attend the blood bank.

You can also sign up on the website bloodbank.ky or telephone to make an appointment on 244-2674. The lab is open Monday to Friday from 7 a.m. until 6.30 p.m., and on Saturday from 9 a.m. until 5.30 p.m. Additionally, please like the Facebook page Cayman Islands Blood Bank for news about events, needs and achievements.

There is no human-made or natural replacement for blood, so donors are extremely important to the well-being of our country.

As we observe this year’s World Blood Donor Day please consider registering to give blood. It is a small and easy step to take, but an enormous help to our community.