Friday, March 29, 2024

SP Red Cross holds successful blood drive; First Responder training underway

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The Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (SPBRC) held their final blood drive of the year on Saturday, November 26th at Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II. From 9AM to 3PM, donors went to the polyclinic to contribute the vital red fluid. In total, 16 pints of blood were collected, which is enough to save 48 lives. A simultaneous dollar drive brought in $205 in collections as well.san-pedro-belize-red-cross-blood-drive-1

The next blood drive is scheduled for Saturday, February 25, 2017 at the polyclinic. Laurie Norton of SPBRC reminds potential donors that giving blood is a simple process. “Please note that if you are thinking of giving blood, the experience is a very painless one. There is rarely a line and there are always yummy refreshments waiting for you after you donate. Please think “RED” before you donate. You should get plenty of Rest, Eat a healthy meal, and Drink plenty of fluids,” said Norton.san-pedro-belize-red-cross-blood-drive-3

SPRCB thanks the following sponsors who helped make this event possible: Tropic Air, Brooklyn Bros. Bagel Shop, and Mermaid Supermarket. They also thank Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic for a full day use of the clinic, the Belize Blood Bank, and all volunteers that came out to help.san-pedro-belize-red-cross-blood-drive-4

Mass First Aid Training

SPBRC is also proud to announce that training is underway for the staff of Mahogany Bay Village. Soon, 30 First Responders will be trained in First Aid, Cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR), and Automated External Defibrillator (AED) utilization. In addition, the newly qualified responders will be able to assist staff, visitors of the village, and the community at large. The first 10 responders were trained on November 22, 2016, while the second group is scheduled to be trained on Tuesday, December 6th, and the third set of responders will be trained at a later date.san-pedro-belize-red-cross-blood-drive-2

Since November 2013, SPRCB has been providing First Aid training to all the citizens, organizations and businesses of San Pedro for a nominal fee. However, thanks to sponsors, more opportunities have opened for the Red Cross. “This year, our certified instructors were able to train many teachers, firefighters and youths of the island due to the generous contributions from sponsors,” said Norton.

SPRCB is always willing to share information on the work they are doing in the community, and welcome additional volunteers. If you would like to know more about the SPRCB and how you can become involved, you are invited to attend their general meetings held at Crazy Canucks’ Beach Bar on the last Friday of every month, starting at 6PM.

If you would like to find out how you, or your staff can participate in becoming First Aid, CPR, and AED certified, or if you would like more information about donating blood, please email [email protected] or visit SPRCB’s Facebook page at: www.facebook.com/belizeredcrosssanpedro

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