blood drive

For our most recent blood drive, the San Pedro Community Blood Drive Group was able to partner with the Washington University of Health and Science. We wish to thank all those who came to donate blood on June 15. Members of the Ambergris Caye community generously donated 18 pints of blood, which can potentially save the lives of up to 54 persons.

Whether you’re a Belizean, an expat, or a vacationer, there are a few easy options for you to play a part in strengthening blood collection in the country of Belize. Starting with blood donation! We have 5 patients requesting 23 pints. Island Donors Squad (IDS) is ramping up in a huge way for its next Blood Drive at Ambergris Hope Hospital on June 29th in San Pedro. From 8:30am - 2:00pm.

On Saturday, April 6th, the newly formed coalition Island Donors Squad (IDS) held its inaugural blood drive at the Ambergris Hope Hospital in downtown San Pedro. Island resident Tacogirl Laurie Norton, who has ten years of experience in helping to organize blood drives, spearheaded the event. The goal was to increase blood collection in San Pedro, and the drive was a success, collecting 11 pints of blood.

The Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB) held five blood drives during 2021, collecting 156 pints of the vital liquid. One of the drives collected blood from recovered COVID-19 patients to provide anti-bodies to those recovering from the virus. This was one method administered before vaccines against the virus were made available.

Originally scheduled for Saturday March 14th, the Belize Red Cross San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB) postponed their blood drive at the Polyclinic. The San Pedro Sun spoke to Phillip Ramsey, a representative of BRCSPB about the sudden postponement. He said that he received notification via email from the Blood Bank Unit in Belize City that the drive needed to be postponed, “due to the nature of the COVID-19 situation”. The email stated that they were making necessary arrangements to prepare for possible progression of COVID-19 and that they would follow up about rescheduling. The cancellation however, highlighted an issue affecting San Pedro: the lack of a blood bank. Residents have to rely on organized blood drives, instead of being able to go to a designated donation center at any time.

The Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch (BRCSPB) held their last blood drive of the year on Saturday, December 14th at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II.

Originally scheduled for March 2019, the event date was moved up in order to assist island resident Daryl Kennedy, who is in urgent need of blood as the country faces a drastic shortage.

An emergency blood drive to assist the countrywide blood shortage and island resident Daryl Kennedy has been scheduled for Sunday, January 20th at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II in San Pedro Town from 9AM to 3PM.