The importance of blood donation continues to grow on Ambergris Caye, especially now that the island is home to its own blood bank at Ambergris Hope Hospital, a critical service that is helping ensure lifesaving blood is available when emergencies arise. This vital resource was further strengthened during a recent community blood drive that once again demonstrated the generosity and unity of island residents.
Island Donors Squad (IDS), in partnership with Ambergris Hope Hospital (AHH), hosted another successful blood drive on Saturday, January 24th, from 8:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m., drawing strong community support and participation.
The drive began with 25 registered donors and resulted in the collection of 17 pints of whole blood through scheduled donors and walk-in volunteers. Of the blood collected, one donation was therapeutic, while three pints were immediately allocated to assist patients in need from both San Pedro and Corozal. The drive even attracted support from neighboring islands, with one dedicated donor traveling from Caye Caulker aboard the Caribbean Sprinter water taxi to participate.
Importance of Blood Drive
Health professionals continue to stress that maintaining a stable and accessible blood supply is essential for island communities like Ambergris Caye, where emergency medical needs can arise unexpectedly and transportation to the mainland can cause critical delays. The establishment of the blood bank at Ambergris Hope Hospital now allows medical staff to store and access blood locally, significantly improving emergency response capabilities and patient care on the island.
Beyond helping those in urgent need, blood donation also offers health benefits to donors. A healthy donor’s blood can help save lives while also stimulating the body to produce fresh blood cells. During the blood drive, participants were also able to take advantage of complimentary healthcare screenings provided by Ambergris Hope Hospital, including complete blood count (CBC) panels and urinalysis testing.
Island Donors Squad continues its mission of strengthening blood collection efforts across Belize through education, awareness, and recruitment of voluntary donors. The organization encourages residents and visitors alike to consider becoming regular donors, emphasizing that every donation has the potential to save lives.
Individuals interested in registering as voluntary donors can contact Island Donors Squad through their Facebook page or via email at idsbelize@gmail.com. Those unable to donate can still support the cause by following and sharing information from the Island Donors Squad social media platforms to help raise awareness.
The blood drive also received support from Belize National Blood Transfusion Services (BNBTS), Washington University of Health and Sciences (WUHS), and San Pedro High School, with student volunteer Isaac Ramon Garcia assisting during the event.
Island Donors Squad extends heartfelt appreciation to the many businesses and organizations that contributed to the success of the drive, including San Pedro Town Council, Digicel Belize, Belize Chocolate Company, Caye Coffee Roasting Co., Ramon’s Village Resort, Caribeville, Red Ginger, Mesa Cantina, The French Croissant, Hurricanes, The Truck Stop, Heavens Veggies, Charmaines Café, Fresh N Go, The Lunch Box, Chris and Lynn Monaco, Brooklyn Bagels, and The Baker.
With the presence of a local blood bank and the continued support of generous donors, San Pedro is strengthening its ability to respond to medical emergencies and provide critical care when it is needed most. Community leaders and healthcare professionals remind residents that building a reliable blood supply requires ongoing participation and commitment.
Together, through each blood drive, each donor, and each pint collected, the island moves closer to ensuring that no life is lost due to a lack of available blood.
