The lifesaving contribution of blood donors was celebrated as the Blood Bank Department of the Ezra Long Laboratory at the Millennium Heights Medical Complex (MHMC) honoured individuals whose continued generosity has helped sustain Saint Lucia’s national blood supply and provide critical support to patients in need.
The recognition ceremony formed part of activities marking World Blood Donor Day, observed globally under the World Health Organization’s 2026 theme, “One Drop of Humanity. Give Blood. Save Lives.” The event brought together health officials, dedicated donors and stakeholders to celebrate the selfless act of giving blood and to highlight the importance of regular voluntary donations.
Chief Executive Officer of MHMC, Dr. Damian Greaves, expressed gratitude to the donors, acknowledging the far-reaching impact of their contributions. “[their] contribution matters. In fact, [their] contribution can be the difference between fear and relief, between crisis and recovery, and sometimes between life and death.”
Among those recognised was longstanding donor Nigel Ollivierre, whose commitment to voluntary blood donation spans 35 years. Having begun donating in Grenada in 1990, Ollivierre has continued the practice since moving to Saint Lucia, making regular donations as part of his personal commitment to helping others. Ollivierre encouraged more people to become voluntary donors, noting that blood is often urgently needed but not always readily available because many people only consider donating when a loved one is affected.
The Blood Bank Department continues to encourage all eligible persons to consider becoming regular voluntary donors, as maintaining a safe and reliable blood supply depends on ongoing community participation. Persons interested in donating blood or learning more about eligibility requirements can contact the Mobile Blood Bank at 729-9642.