Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007
  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Coupon Codes
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan
  • Home
  • Belize Weather
  • Belizean Food
  • Restaurants by Price
  • Beach Bars
  • Nightlife
  • Discounts
  • Virtual Vacation
  • Belize Beach Webcam
Tacogirl Belize blog Est. in 2007

You came to the right blog for Belize Resources and Information.

  • Home
  • About Belize
    • My Move to Belize
    • Living in Belize
    • Belize Tourism Board
    • Blog Press
    • tacogirl.com testimonials
  • Flights to Belize
    • Flying in Belize
    • Flights From Belize
    • Duty Free Belize
    • Aerial Tours
    • World Nomads Travel Insurance
  • Belize Vacation
    • Vrbo Belize – A Paradise within a Paradise
      • Vrbo Ambergris Caye – Sunshine, Luxury & Fun
      • Vrbo San Pedro – Food, Fun, and Adventure
      • Vrbo Placencia – A True Getaway
      • Vrbo Hopkins Belize – Experience Culture
    • Ambergris Caye Accommodations by Price
    • Belize Resorts and Hotels
    • Pet Friendly Hotels
    • Belize Vacation Deals
  • Coupon Codes
    • Big Belize Travel Deal
  • Travel Store
    • tacogirl Recommendations
    • Easy Donations
    • Eco Friendly Belize
  • Fun Activities
    • Getting Around Ambergris Caye
    • Fitness
    • Things to do in Belize
    • Belize Excursions and Tours
    • Voluntourism
  • Travel
    • Central America
    • Yucatan

We Struck Liquid Gold

by tacogirl 16/05/2016
written by tacogirl 16/05/2016
Belize Red Cross Blood Drive

Every time the Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch does another blood drive we never know what to expect and this one was no exception. We also look at how to do better for next time and our new Blood Drive Department head Heidi Simmons did a great job of getting the team to do just that.

Together with the help of Belize Blood Services, several rock-star quality volunteers, and our Chairman Eiden Salazar, we enjoyed great success this past Saturday. Some of our volunteers welcomed people into the clinic, others called out to them on the street and the community opened it’s hearts and wallets generously. We received a record total of $1,208.62 in donations, as well as a sturdy 13 pints of crimson colored life-saving gold which is enough to save 39 lives – yay team.

The blood drive was held from 9:00 am – 3:00 pm at the San Carlos Medical Clinic. The Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Branch would like to thank Dr. Giovanni Solorzano for welcoming us again, to Tropic Air for safely transporting the dedicated Blood Bank employees and their precious cargo, to Projects Abroad for providing volunteers, to Marbucks for the sweet treats, to Green House for fresh fruit, to Marks Store for the foil pan to put it in, to Estele’s for a delicious lunch for the 4 Blood Bank Crew, to Grant Bill Guy for internet promotion, to The San Pedro Sun for its consistent coverage and a rare blood type on their staff, to Ambergris Today for helping get the word out.

A huge ;thank you also goes out to all of our continued supporters and all the various volunteers for joining BRCSP branch on our journey of Changing History Through Saving Lives.

Following through on doing better

As mentioned above, with every blood drive we look at how we can do better. Everyone agrees that consistent and up to date public information is a must. Every time they visit we learn more from Belize Blood Services to gain a better understanding of how the blood process works in our country and what we can do to help.

I know there are a few who are waiting to be eligible to become regular donors. I promise we are all doing the best we can with what we have and I thank you for your patience and support during this challenging and extremely rewarding path.

How to Share Your Crimson Gold

Donating blood is easy. It is important as in all areas of life to the best that you can be, this applies when making a blood donation. Each pint can save up to 3 people and it is important that you provide a strong healthy one.

When preparing for donating blood, think RED:

  • Rest and get a good nights sleep.
  • Eat a good breakfast with foods high in iron.
  • Drink plenty of healthy fluids starting the day before you donate.

You cannot donate at this time if:

  • You are under 18 or over 65 years of age
  • You plan to SCUBA dive within 24 hours after donating
  • You’ve donated within the last 90 days
  • You are on certain medications or have some allergies
  • You are currently ill

From the front door to the refreshment stand

When you arrive, a volunteer will check you in and take down your information. Then at the next available opportunity, you will be taken for the screening process of some questions and a finger pinprick test to determine what type you are and if you have a healthy enough blood status to donate. If you do not make it through you are still welcome to have a treat as a thank you for trying. If you pass go then you will be placed on the first available table and given a squeeze ball while your blood is being taken. Afterward, one of the Blood Services staff will help you up and show you to the refreshment area where you will get a lovely heart-shaped cookie, fresh fruit, water, and juice.

More Blood Education

Blood typing is important as it allows us to locate people with rare blood types and get them on a list. Dion from San Pedro Sun is one of a few local favorites for O negative and we were very pleased to see him make a deposit in the bank. It was also great to show one of their other reporters Chelsea what goes on first hand at a Belize Red Cross blood drive and have her take some pictures. If you have a rare blood type and are willing to be on our donor list please use the email below.

I gave blood and got the cookie now what?

At the end of the day Belize Blood Services pack up their supplies and cooler of blood and we hail them a cab to the San Pedro Airport. Because we cannot store blood on the island right now, all blood gets flown back to the mainland and is kept at the Blood Bank. Even if we could store blood it would have to be brought to Belize City to be processed and then flown back here.

When someone countrywide is in need of blood they are able to contact the San Pedro Red Cross and ask for help from our Ambergris Caye reserve. It could be your pint.

San Pedro Branch encourages all people receiving blood to pay it forward sometime however they can. We have had many people come to the clinic telling their stories about how a friend or family member benefited from a blood donation. They recognized how important it is and wanted to help someone else the same way. This time we also had someone come and donate specifically for someone in need right now. That was a first and a lovely event to witness.

Another favorite moment that day was watching my good friend Cindy and regular donator explain to her little one Ocean, step by step the process of making a blood donation. Ocean was fascinated, taking it all in and asking questions. I can’t wait for the day I get to take the picture or hear about her story of the first time she donates if she decides to follow her mother’s footsteps.

I want to help when can I donate or what if I can’t?

If you want to become a regular donor like our Facebook page (link below), get on our text list or emailing our department head to get on an email notification list. If you know you cannot give blood but still want to help, we always need volunteers to help us get the word out or help the day of. We are also grateful for any donations to help us with our work.

BRCSP has not scheduled a date for the next blood drive yet, but it will be approximately 3 months from May 14.

To learn more about the Belize Red Cross, San Pedro Blood Drives, click through to our Facebook page or contact the branch coordinator by email: branchcoordinator.brcsp@gmail.com.

Related

tacogirl

Laure Norton grew up dyslexic and was very challenged by the school. She never dreamed she would move to Belize and become a writer. A year after her move to Ambergris Caye, Laurie became an entrepreneur and professional writer starting tacogirl blog in 2007. Since then she has helped many people plan their vacations or move. She also has been published in Great Destinations Belize Guidebook, Moon Guide to Living in Belize, Insight Guides, Island Magazine several times and USA Today. Currently Laurie resides in downtown San Pedro and enjoys being a "city girl" on a tropical island.

previous post
San Ignacio Benefits, Additional Tours and a Happy Anniversary
next post
Jungle love

You will also like

Whose Handling The Food?

12/05/2020

Vacation Volunteering in Belize

19/02/2020

A Different Kind of Birding in Placencia Belize...

11/02/2020

I Ate Bones and Recently Got Stolen From

08/11/2019

TK-421 and the Satellite Tracker

04/10/2019

Setting Strong Foundations

19/08/2019

Solar For 5 Schools In Belize

20/03/2019

I Dodged a Bullet and Admired Some Fancy...

22/11/2018

Heartbreaking and Heartwarming

13/11/2018

Sea and Ocean Conservation

22/10/2018

Leave a Comment Cancel Reply

Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment.

Search Belize by Category

Duty Free Discount

Trip Advisor Destination Expert

Tripadvisor logo

Get Social with tacogirl Belize blog

Facebook Twitter Instagram Linkedin Flickr Youtube

Get the latest posts by email

Search Belize by Month

Find tacogirl On Facebook

Find tacogirl On Facebook
tacogirl Belize blog
tacogirl Belize blog
5.0
Based on 16 reviews
powered by Google
Corey Holm
Corey Holm
04:38 25 Feb 20
I take the seniors from our academy to Belize every year for their senior trip. One of the first people I contact when... I start planning the trip is Laurie with TacoGirl Belize. She knows the island of San Pedro better than anyone else out there. Trust me, I have looked. If you are looking for the best restaurants, hang outs and shops then Laurie help plan your vacation.read more
Carol Taylor
Carol Taylor
15:53 24 Feb 20
Love Taco Girl Blog @LaurieNorton! I've been reading this blog since I started visiting Ambergris Caye in Belize almost... 10 years ago. It is filled with helpful up-to-date information and recommendations that I wouldn't necessarily find on my own. Laurie Norton's knowledge and extensive network on the island provides her with the ability to share perks/discounts/coupons with her readers, which come in handy year after year. Things on the island change daily - new businesses pop up constantly and LaurieNortonstays on top of these developments. Whenever I plan my return trip to the island, I always check her blog first - and I recommend you do the same. Trip Advisor ain't got nuttin' on Taco Girl!read more
Heidi
Heidi
20:01 20 Feb 20
Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s... always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. There is so much information it's amazing! Thank you Laurie!!!read more
Nick Goodman
Nick Goodman
21:23 30 Nov 19
I am considering a move to Belize and I have serendipitously found tacogirl.....what a treasure! She is full of great... advice, helpful hints.....knows everybody on Ambergris Caye and has a thousand useful recommendations and suggestions. Whether you are planning a vacation or relocating, you should make use of the many services she has to offer…..read more
KellyDivePhotography
KellyDivePhotography
20:58 30 Nov 19
I’m so pleased to see tacogirl's blog on Google. Laurie's blog is my official “go to” source for tourist and... local information on San Pedro. Of course, it’s always nice to see her guides on “what to do” in San Pedro, but I also appreciate her “insider” advice and human interest stories on what it’s like living as a local on the island. I especially enjoy her guest articles, providing a different perspective of all things San Pedro. Her tipping quide is a classic, and don’t forget her Tropic Air flight code and on-island discounts. You’re not up-to-date with what’s going on in San Pedro if you’re not regularly reading tacogirl's blog.read more
Sandra Godfrey
Sandra Godfrey
15:58 23 Nov 19
I have known Laurie (Taco Girl) for several years. She has been a wealth of good information for me in all of my... pursuits in Belize. I highly recommend her for any services you may require.read more
William Jones
William Jones
13:39 06 May 19
Do yourself a favor. Read this BEFORE any trip to San Pedro - Ambergris Caye or Belize in general. Not saying “do... what everyone else says”, but Laurie has frank and honest info which will make your stay in country a little more fun, a little more informative, and often at a great cost savings. Best thing: it’s unbiased, honest, and factual. Personal note: thank you for your personal tailored help in answering mine (and my wife’s) questions.read more
Kimberly Robinson
Kimberly Robinson
18:28 03 May 19
Taco Girl (Laurie) is amazing. She has so much knowledge about Belize and has great connections with many of the... businesses in Belize. Because of her connections she is able to offer many perks and discounts that you wouldn't have been able to find otherwise. She is super responsive and I always go to her for all my travel needs. From golf cart rentals, to spas, to places to eat. She's got the inside scoop on all!read more
Michael Rieck
Michael Rieck
20:22 21 Apr 19
Since 2003, my wife and I have been to Ambergris at least once a year to experience the fantastic diving. About twelve... years ago we me Tacogirl on a blog giving us discounts on golf carts, local airfares, and restaurants. Over the years we have grown a friendship and I look forward to her weekly blogs about he changes on my favorite home away from home. The island changes every year, and she always shows you what to see, do, and eat.read more
Next Reviews

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

THE ORIGINAL BELIZE BLOG

ABOUT ME

I took the plunge and moved to San Pedro Town on the Island of Ambergris Caye, off the coast of Belize, Central America. Originally from Canada, I made the life-changing move to escape winter for good (in 2006) after one three week vacation.

If you have any questions or want Belize discounts, Contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

3 childhood memories that shaped my desire to move to Belize from a young age.Sailing in the Virgin Islands, seeing a rainbow out the window of an island hopper as we flew from Virgin Islands to Puerto Rico, Christmas in Hawaii and many trips to Florida.

  • Facebook
  • Twitter
  • Instagram
  • Pinterest
  • Linkedin
  • Flickr
  • Youtube
  • Email

tacogirl.com San Pedro Belize © 2020 Content of this website may not be used elsewhere without permission. Sitemap


Back To Top