BLOOD TRANSFUSION SERVICE URGES SUPPORT FOR FUNDRAISING RUN

The National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) is appealing to voluntary blood donors to participate in the upcoming 7 th annual Sigma Corporate Run on April 10.

The 5-kilometre (three mile) event, organised by the Jamdammers Club, will see over 52 companies lending their support to raise some $1.5 million for the NBTS to purchase equipment such as refrigerators and freezers.

Sandra Brown, Communication Officer at the NBTS, told JIS that as the designated charity, the NBTS wanted its cadre of voluntary blood donors to participate under its banner.

"We want them to be specially recognised on that day. They are such a significant part of what we do and it is them that keep us going. We want to have a huge representation from them, that is why we are making this appeal," she explained.

So far, she said that entry forms from the voluntary donors were trickling in and has urged participants to register for the event at the NBTS headquarters at

22 Slipe Pen Road . As for the staff at the NBTS as well as Public Health Laboratory, Ms. Brown said they had been mobilised to participate in the event.

The Communication Officer also noted that efforts to form partnerships with corporate sector groups were paying off, as a number of blood drives have been held, while funding has been secured for the purchase of valuable equipment, to improve the services offered to the public.

More than 2,000 runners, walkers and wheelchair participants are expected to converge at the Pan-Caribbean Bank on Knutsford Boulevard on the day of the event, which will commence at 7:00 a.m. and, end at Emancipation Park .