The Tribune

By Davario Rahming

DONORS at a city mall gave a massive shot in the arm to a hospital blood bank.

Members of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, along with the Princess Margaret Hospital’s blood bank, hosted a blood drive on Saturday at Marathon mall.

Their objective was to raise the awareness of the importance of donating blood.

Stenard Duncombe, event coordinator and initiate of the Alpha Chi Chapter at Fisk University, said: “We wanted to bring awareness to the Bahamian people in the area of the depleted blood bank. Hospitals are always in need of blood and in just three hours, we were able to assist giving 20 pints of blood.”

PMH’s blood bank lab technician, Glen Roberts, said: “Giving blood is a necessity. Surgery, stabbings, shootings occur all the time. The PMH blood bank is always in need of blood. There are lives that you can possibly save.”

As a sign of appreciation to the large crowd assembled at centre court, and those donating blood, the brothers of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc entertained the crowd chanting songs.

Kyle Garland, a member of the Rho Xi Chapter at St Leo University said: “The turnout was exceptional because a lot of people need blood right now and every pint counts. Even those who didn’t give, we were able to bring the awareness about the importance of giving blood.”

President of the Iota Epsilon Lambda Alumni Chapter in Nassau, Dayan Bourne, said. “It was pretty good. The brothers got the crowd entertained and got the general public to give blood. It is always good to give back to the community.”

Excited blood donor and member of the Tau Nu Chapter of Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc, Gabrielle Conliffe, said: “It was a cool experience and I would do it again! I would recommend people to do it because it helps to save lives.”

The operating hours of Princess Margaret’s blood bank are 9am to 6.30pm Monday through Friday and Saturdays from 9am to 5pm.

Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc, was founded on the campus of Cornell University in Ithaca, New York on December 4, 1906.

There are two chapters in the Bahamas - the Iota Epsilon Lambda Chapter in Nassau and the Sigma Beta Lambda Chapter in Freeport, Grand Bahama.

Charlo Bain, graduate of the Alpha Rho Chapter of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc at Morehouse College, said: “I definitely think we can do it again and that’s because we had the representation from just three NPHC organizations and it was still a success. We would like to thank members from, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma Fraternity and also the general public for their support.”