The Accountant General’s department has been named the 2015 Corporate Blood Donor of the Year award by the Bermuda Hospitals Board and the Ministry of Health, Seniors and Environment.

The department beat out nine other candidates to win the prize, including Ace, Aon, Arnold’s/Café Cairo, Butterfield Bank, Kitson Group of Companies, Auto Solutions, Butterfield and Vallis, the XL Group and the Bermuda Police Service.

Health minister Jeanne Atherden thanked all of the participating groups for their commitment to the community. “Your support of your staff taking time to donate blood is so valuable to making sure we can provide safe, healthy blood for those in need,” she said.

“Special congratulations go to the Accountant General’s department, which encouraged staff, family members and friends to donate and so achieved the highest percentage of donations and the most points. I hope even more companies join next year. This is a great way to increase donations through friendly competition.”

Assistant accountant general Crystal Burgess said the department was proud to win the award. “One out of every three people in Bermuda is expected to require blood at some point, so donating blood is personal to us,” she said.

“It’s for our loved ones, ourselves and all the people in our community. We look forward to trying to keep the title next year.”

The 2015-16 Corporate Blood Drive is set to begin next week, with chief of pathology Clyde Wilson urging groups to take part in saving lives and caring for those with therapeutic transfusion needs, such as those suffering from sickle cell or cancer.

“This is such a wonderful way to save and improve lives in Bermuda,” Dr Wilson said. “We aren’t looking for financial donations — just half an hour and a pint of blood from each individual every few months.”

Companies interested in joining the blood drive are invited to call or e-mail the Blood Donor Centre at blood.donor@bhb.bm or 236-5067.