Jamaicans are being urged to donate blood on November 4 in a national drive aimed at boosting supplies of the life-saving fluid.

The effort, labelled National Blood Drive Day, has been organised by the local freemason community — Scottish, English and Irish constitutions — in collaboration with the National Blood Transfusion Service and the National Health Fund to augment the low stocks at the blood bank as too often there is an urgent need for supplies which are not on hand.

“The brotherhood believes strongly in benevolence and charity, therefore, what better way to demonstrate this than by giving life to a fellow human, as the donation of blood is arguably the ultimate gift of one human to another,” said Dr Courtney King Palmer, district grand master of the local Scottish constitution.

Leader of the English constitution, Thomas Charles Smith, agreed, saying, “The symbiotic relationship between our districts augurs extremely well for Jamaica, demonstrated in our coming together in support of this important initiative.”

Peter Stuart, head of the Irish constitution, in his usual inimitable style, hailed the partnership as a “big deal” for freemasonry and, of course, for Jamaica.

The freemasons are encouraging everyone who qualifies, to donate and think about their role in volunteering as a donor, noting that a simple act of donating blood can make a huge difference to someone else’s life, or may even save one’s own life.

Igol Allen, national coordinator of the blood bank, said that currently the country is meeting under 60 per cent of its requirements for blood. He emphasised that it is necessary to ensure that a stable and sufficient supply of blood is readily available, as it “is important for our health care system to function effectively, if and when there is a need”.

In thanking the freemasons for their initiative, he said, “Blood donors have remained important to the blood bank throughout and so we wish to encourage and thank them for their continued donations.”

Speaking with the organiser in chief of the blood drive, Dr Leighton McKnight, Allen urged Jamaicans to “Have a heart, share some love and show some care, by donating blood, and, if you can’t do so, or do not qualify, advocate on our behalf, by encouraging others to join our effort.”

Minister of Health and Wellness Dr Christopher Tufton, who is scheduled to officially launch the drive, hailed the freemasons for being considerate.

“An initiative of this importance is well timed, as we head into the Yuletide season when, regretfully, accidents and related trauma tend to increase,” he said. “I encourage the organisers to give consideration to making this a calendar event, which can only redound to the well-being of our nation and its people.”

People willing to donate can visit collection centres at National Chest Hospital, 36 Barbican Road, St Andrew, and Cornwall Regional Hospital, Mount Salem, Montego Bay, between the hours of 9:00 am and 3:00 pm.