KINGSTON, Jamaica — The I Have A Heart Foundation (iHAH) has recorded its most successful blood drive to date, collecting 146 units of blood during its 14th annual staging of the initiative, potentially saving up to 438 lives.

The blood drive, held on Saturday, October 3, at Emancipation Park in Kingston, was organised in partnership with the Islamic Council of Jamaica (ICOJ) and attracted 228 registered participants.

According to the foundation, the 146 units collected represent the highest single-drive blood collection in Jamaica since the start of 2026 and, based on available records, the largest collection by a civic non-profit organisation in at least five years.

The achievement also marks a significant improvement over the foundation’s 2025 blood drive, which yielded 76 units from 111 registered participants.

This year’s collection represents a 92 per cent increase over the previous year, reflecting growing public participation in the initiative.

Adding a competitive element to the event was a Men vs Women blood donation challenge, which saw the men narrowly emerging victorious after contributing 75 units, compared with 71 units donated by women.

The milestone comes amid continued concerns about Jamaica’s blood supply. In July, the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) warned that the country’s blood reserves had fallen to approximately half the amount required to meet demand, resulting in some patients being unable to access urgently needed transfusions.

Founder and Managing Director of the I Have A Heart Foundation, Abi-Gaye ‘Abz’ Smythe, welcomed the achievement, describing it as a testament to the power of community involvement and the importance of voluntary blood donation.

“This achievement is bigger than a number. 146 units of blood will give over 400 people hope, second chances, and more time to live. We are incredibly proud of our donors, volunteers, partner ICOJ, and sponsors who came together and showed what is possible when a community decides that saving lives is everyone’s responsibility,” Smythe said.

She noted that the foundation’s continued growth reflects its commitment to encouraging Jamaicans to make blood donation a regular civic responsibility rather than an activity reserved for emergencies.

“Last year, we were celebrating 76 units. This year, we set our goals higher and Jamaica answered,” she said.

“Our ultimate goal is not simply to host successful blood drives, it is to help create a culture where people donate blood regularly, and not wait on an emergency,” Smythe added.

The foundation is now hoping to build on the momentum of this year’s record-breaking event by encouraging more Jamaicans to become regular blood donors.

Operating under the theme “Saving Lives, One Pint at a Time”, the initiative seeks to raise awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donation and its potential to save lives.

The foundation is urging Jamaicans to recognise that a single donation could make the difference between life and death for someone in need of a transfusion.

The I Have A Heart Foundation team, led by Founder and Managing Director -Gaye ‘Abz’ Smythe.

Participants of the I Have A Heart Foundation blood drive.