Official ceremony for World Blood Donor’s Day was held last Friday June 14th, 2013 at the grounds of Central Health Region Compound. Welcoming Address was delivered by Mr. Ronald Stuart, member of the Belize Blood Donors Association. He welcomed the head table and the guest to the celebrations as he describes the day’s event as, “A celebration of one of the most important work that we do...”

Dr. Jorge Polanco, President of the Belize Blood Donors Association gave contributing remarks. He spoke of the importance of being a blood donor and also of the many persons that benefit from blood donation everyday across the country. Donated blood can frequently help persons suffering from Anaemia, Sickle Cell, Dengue Hemorrhagic, gunshot and accident wound victims to name a few.  He ended his speech by emphasizing the need to increase the number of voluntary blood donors because in turn, it decreases the risk of transfusing infected blood.  The keynote address was done by Dr. Peter Allen, Chief Executive Officer, Ministry of Health. He mentioned that the construction of a new Blood Bank would commence in a month’s time and also the contract for the renovation works at the Central Medical Lab was in its final stage. He also conveyed government’s full support to have Belize join countries that have reached 100% voluntary blood donations.

During the short ceremony, Certificates of Appreciation were also given out to a few long standing blood donors by Nurse Doreen Madrill. World Blood Donors Day is celebrated on June 14 annually to bring awareness of safe blood and blood products and also to thank voluntary blood donors.