54 take part in UWI blood drive

MONTEGO BAY, St James:

A total of 54 people gave the gift of life as the campus committee at the University of the West Indies (UWI) Mona-Western Jamaica Campus (WJC), in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service, played host to the annual Give Blood, Save a Life blood drive.

The initiative, which is now in its third year, saw an increase in numbers as students took the time to gather information, undergo screening, and give blood.

With the aid of a trained staff member from the National Blood Transfusion Service, under the direction of Odeon Black, and the patronage of Dr Blossom Anglin-Brown, clinical director of the University Health Centre at the UWI Mona, the process was explained to donors.

Campus Committee Chairperson Elvis Oliphant and his deputy, Akeem Smith, were pleased with the numbers that came out to support the blood drive.

"We had representatives from Cornwall College and the Montego Bay Community College, as well as from businesses within the area," said Smith.

"While we did not reach our targeted number of 80 persons, we did surpass the number of donors than the previous years, and in that way, the event was a success."

The blood drive was one of many community-outreach programmes that the UWI Mona-WJC Campus Guild has planned for the duration of the 2011-2012 term. The other activities include a Flankers fun day, and a health-awareness day.