A company has been applauded for answering the call for blood donations as it won the ninth annual corporate blood drive competition.

A Bermuda Hospitals Board spokeswoman said Butterfield and Vallis beat 14 other local businesses which took part in the initiative.

Eyitayo Fakunle, BHB consultant haematologist, said: “Every one of the 15 competing companies must be applauded.

“Every donation is a donation we need, and just by participating they are supporting their employees to be able to come and donate.

“The last two years have been very hard for individuals and companies, and your continued support of blood donation has helped us maintain our blood supplies and save lives in Bermuda.”

As part of today’s World Blood Donor Day, Butterfield and Vallis was presented with the trophy by Kim Wilson, the Minister of Health, along with Ayoola Oyinloye, the chief medical officer, Wesley Miller, BHB chief of staff, and members of the Bermuda Blood Donor Centre team.

Terri Durrant, advertising manager and wellness chair at Butterfield and Vallis, said that the company and its staff were passionate about supporting blood donation.

She added: “Congratulations and thanks to all of my colleagues who have rolled up their sleeves this year to donate blood.

“For some, it took a lot to pluck up the courage to donate in the first place, but now they are regulars.

“We look forward to a strong competition in the year ahead and we’re determined to make it a double.”

Other businesses that took part included AF Smith, Ascots, Axis, Bermuda Monetary Authority, BF&M, Conyers, Fidelity, FIL, Freisenbruch, Lancashire, Liberty, Marsh McLennan, the Ministry of Public Works and Renaissance Re.

Lucy Correia, nurse phlebotomist at the Blood Donor Centre, said: “We are so thankful to each company and to everyone who donates.”

Companies wishing to join in the competition can e-mail blood.donation@bhb.bm or call 236-5067.

Last week the BHB warned that the number of blood donors was not keeping pace with the rising need for transfusions.

Dr Fakunle said there were nearly 2,000 blood transfusions last year compared with 1,590 in 2017 — a 26 per cent increase.

Meanwhile, the number of blood donors had risen from 1,002 to 1,081 — an 8 per cent increase.

In an effort to support blood donation, the Hamilton Princess & Beach Club has announced that those who have donated blood in the past year will be entered into a raffle for prizes including a stay at the hotel and a champagne brunch.