News Releases

Call for Non-Remunerated Voluntary Blood Donation

For Release Upon Receipt - October 5, 2023

St. Augustine


ST AUGUSTINE, Trinidad &Tobago. October 5, 2022 - A noteworthy collaboration at the recent University of the West Indies (The UWI) St. Augustine Campus's Guild Fest aimed to raise awareness about blood disorders and the importance of voluntary blood donations, while dispelling myths and miscommunication. The partnership featured a booth jointly organized by The UWI Blood Donor Foundation (UWIBDF), the Society for Inherited and Severe Blood Disorders Trinidad and Tobago Ltd (SISBD), and the Rotary Club of St. Augustine. The event took place at the JFK Quadrangle, The UWI St. Augustine Campus, on September 6 and 7, 2023.

 As part of their educational efforts, The UWIBDF provided an engaging experience that included a prosthetic phlebotomy arm to showcase the blood donation process. The Rotary Club of St. Augustine, known for its commitment to community welfare, actively supported the cause by emphasizing the significance of blood donation. Volunteers from the SISBD were present to share invaluable insights into various blood disorders like Sickle Cell Disease, Haemophilia and Thalassemia. Additionally, visitors had the opportunity to obtain informative pamphlets on blood disorders and access sign-up forms for the national database.

 "Give the gift of life, donate blood without expecting anything in return. Every unit of blood collected counts, and so do you! Your voluntary blood donation is a lifeline to someone in need," emphasized Dr. Melissa Friday, MBBS, MRCP(UK), FRCPath (Haematology), Consultant Haematologist – North Central Regional Health Authority (NCRHA) and a member of the UWIBDF.

 The UWIBDF, established in October 2011, operates as a voluntary organization within the Department of Paraclinical Sciences (DPS), Faculty of Medical Sciences (FMS), at The UWI. Their mission is deeply rooted in the promotion of safe and reliable blood donation and its appropriate use through education and research. The UWIBDF's next blood drive is tentatively scheduled for November 25th, 2023, at the Mt. Hope Blood Bank Eric Williams Medical Sciences Complex from 8 am to 4 pm. For more information on registering as a donor, please visit https://www.uwiblood.org/

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About The University of the West Indies

  The UWI has been and continues to be a pivotal force in every aspect of Caribbean development; residing at the centre of all efforts to improve the well-being of people across the region for the past 75 years.

 From a university college of London in Jamaica with 33 medical students in 1948, The UWI is today an internationally respected, global university with near 50,000 students and five campuses: Mona in Jamaica, St. Augustine in Trinidad and Tobago, Cave Hill in Barbados, Five Islands in Antigua and Barbuda and its Open Campus, and global centres in partnership with universities in North America, Latin America, Asia, Africa and Europe.

 The UWI offers over 800 certificate, diploma, undergraduate and postgraduate degree options in Culture, Creative and Performing Arts, Food and Agriculture, Engineering, Humanities and Education, Law, Medical Sciences, Science and Technology, Social Sciences, and Sport. As the Caribbean’s leading university, it possesses the largest pool of Caribbean intellect and expertise committed to confronting the critical issues of our region and wider world.

 The UWI has been consistently ranked among the top universities globally by the most reputable ranking agency, Times Higher Education (THE). The UWI is the only Caribbean-based university to make the prestigious lists since its debut in the rankings in 2018. In addition to its leading position in the Caribbean in the World University Rankings, it is also in the top 25 for Latin America and the Caribbean and the top 100 global Golden Age universities (between 50 and 80 years old).  The UWI is also featured among the leading universities on THE’s Impact Rankings for its response to the world’s biggest concerns, outlined in the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), including Good Health and Wellbeing; Gender Equality and Climate Action.

 2023 marks The UWI’s 75th anniversary. The Diamond jubilee milestone themed “UWI at 75. Rooted. Ready. Rising.” features initiatives purposely designed and aligned to reflect on the past, confront the present, and articulate plans for the future of the regional University.

 Learn more at www.uwi.edu 

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