Join Barclay’s Bank as it Saves Lives Through Blood Donation

Back in early October 2017, residents of Kwale County woke up to the sad news of the demise of one Dr Allan Makokha, a man who was diligently dedicated to serving Kenyans in the health sector.

Illness has no boundaries. Although the man was a doctor, the same industry he struggled to ensure they provide better services failed him. He lay there on the ambulance, awaiting a ferry for the crossing and bled to death. The whole county had not a single pint of blood to help him reach the hospital alive.

As others were still deciding on whether to vote for Uhuru or Raila, his death went unnoticed, just like hundreds of others occurring for lack of blood transfusion.

Blood is priceless, and there is no justification as to why as a country, Kenya shouldn’t have enough blood. Latest reports from the Kenya National Blood Transfusion Service (KNBTS) show that we donate 249,000 units annually. But according to the World Health Organization standards, Kenya should have at least 400,000 units if we are to meet Sustainable Development Goal 3-good health and well-being for people.

Blood donation has not been actively taken up by adults as the majority of the donors are high school and tertiary institution students. The adult population, however, tend to donate when there is a disaster. Clearly, the country needs better initiatives on sensitizing people on the importance of blood donation.

The task has been merely left for the hospitals only, something which often realizes only a small percentage of blood pints harvested. Better strategies need to be put in place and various institutions as well as organizations to be engaged in them.

That said, Barclays will be running a blood drive initiative beginning April 30 in partnership with KNBTS. Your donation will be highly appreciated. If you have ever encountered a situation where a close relative or friend needed a blood donation, and more so experienced just how challenging it is to receive this in our country today, you know how important this is.

For this reason and more, Barclays Bank has taken the initiative to facilitate the blood drive initiative across its branches countrywide. If you care about the well-being of others, the bank welcomes you to donate blood during this drive at any of the following branches, perhaps you could have your friend or family tag along!

If you are in Nairobi, you can head over to the following branches:

• Head office
• Bishops Gate
• Ongata Rongai
• Thika Road Mall
• Westgate
• Buruburu
• Queensway
• Sarit

If you are in Machakos, Garissa, Embu, Meru, Nyeri, Kericho, Narok, Kitale, Bungoma, Kisumu, Migori, Kisii, and Busia, you can head over to Barclays bank in the towns to donate blood.

Those in Thika can donate through the Thika and Githunguri Barclay’s branches, while those in Eldoret, through the Eldoret and Kapsabet branch, you can help change lives.

The coastal region hasn’t been forgotten. You can head over to Digo Road, Malindi and the Voi branches for this beautiful initiative.

Be your brother’s keeper, help save lives!