The Ministry of Health will launch a new Corporate Blood Drive this week in an effort to boost the number of blood donors on the Island.

As part of the initiative, local businesses and international companies are being asked to encourage their staff, friends and family to donate blood between this Friday and World Blood Donor Day on June 14.

The company which is able to achieve the highest percentage of donations during the period will be publicly commended and receive an engraved trophy.

Announcing the initiative today Minister of Health and Environment Trevor Moniz said: “We must expand the current donor base in order to maintain sustainability and reduce the pressure on those who do donate.

“Employees and friends and family can make a difference by participating, which will save and improve the lives of people who need blood. We are all stakeholders in the matter of giving blood. You never know when it might be you or a loved one who needs this life-saving gift.

“While I express my most sincere appreciation on behalf of our entire community to people already donating blood, I also urge companies in Bermuda to joint this initiative. Just as it takes a village to raise a child, it takes a village to assure the gift of life, an adequate supply of blood for our population.”

In most developed countries, around six percent of the population are blood donors. However in Bermuda just two percent — around 1,100 people — donate blood. Chief of Pathology Clyde Wilson said the hospital wants to see the number of donors on the Island increase to around 2,000.

“Blood is not imported and the supplies we use in the hospital are solely provided by people choosing to donate,” Dr Wilson said. “While we are grateful to the hundreds of loyal donors who are already giving blood, we need to increase our donor base in order to assure adequate supplies are always readily available.

“Blood donors not only save lives, but improve the quality of life for many people with painful and debilitating conditions. The hospital currently needs about 35 to 45 units of blood every week to manage therapeutic uses, planned surgery and trauma.”

Actuarial Analyst for XL Re Bermuda, Bernell Williams, said the company was happy to be involved in the initiative, noting that an internal blood drive inspired 17 staff members to donate blood in recent weeks.

“I must admit that getting my colleagues to donate wasn’t as simple as sending out e-mails or posting signs in the cafeteria,” he said. “I literally had to go around the office building from person in person to get the commitments, but it was this personal touch that lead to the success of the endeavour.

“In order to make the process easier, we also coordinated the scheduling of appointments and carpooling to the hospital. We tried to make sure no one went alone. For first time donors, the support of colleagues was reassuring as the thought of donating blood can be a little intimidating.”

He urged other companies and individuals to step up and donate blood, adding: “At the end of the day, giving blood is an easy way to give back that actually does save people’s lives.”