To commemorate World Blood Donor’s Day celebrated on the 14 of June, a group of colleagues from Absa Seychelles participated in a blood drive on Saturday 12 June, at the Absa Head-Quarters at Capital City Building in Victoria. This new initiative is part of Absa’s ongoing commitment to give back to the community as part of our colleague engagement initiatives, geared at assisting the Seychelles health care system.

Amanda Bernstein, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Seychelles also presented the Seychelles Blood Bank unit with a donation of stress balls, known to help facilitate better blood circulation during your blood donation. Joanne Michel, Chief Technologist at the Clinical Laboratory Services & Blood Transfusion Center from the Health Agency was also in attendance.

“We encourage colleagues to come up with suggestions on how we can better support our community, and we are grateful to our colleagues who came up with this initiative. During those difficult times, we want to elevate pressures off the health system, and this gesture of support to the blood bank unit is one which should benefit many. A sincere thanks goes out to my Absa team members who have participated in the drive and have given one of the most precious gifts one person can give to another, and that is life. We remain committed to helping out the Ministry of Health however way possible”, said Amanda Bernstein, Head of Marketing and Corporate Relations at Absa Bank Seychelles

Less than 1% of Seychellois people are active blood donors. A unit of blood only lasts 35 - 42 days after donation and, for this reason, it is important for blood donors to donate regularly. Every unit of blood can save a minimum of four lives as blood is separated into red blood cells, plasma and platelets.

“We continue to face blood shortages, and this blood contribution could not have come at a better time. Any blood drive is a lifesaver for local hospital patients and we are grateful to the Absa team for this initiative and the donation” added Joanne Michel, Chief Technologist at Clinical Laboratory Services & Blood Transfusion Center.

The drive which started at 8am ran through until the afternoon at the Absa Head Quarters at the Capital City Building.