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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

Laurie 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.

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Found tacogirl while doing some research on an upcoming trip to Belize. This is the place for all the information you... need to plan your vacation. Incredibly helpful and responsive. I sent an email with lots of questions and received a very quick and detailed response that helped us finalize our plans.read more
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We have been following TacoGirl for years now and before booking any trip to San Pedro we check to see what is... currently happening. We love the emails to let us know when a new blog has been posted. Keep up the great work Laurie, we feel like we know you.read more
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I first got my Passport in 2012 and Taco Girl was my first connection back then Great then and Marvelous Now! She's... blossomed and developed into a wonderful contact for any and all information Belize. She goes above & beyond to respond with information that you need whether visiting Belize or relocating! I wasn't able to fund the move then but now that I have much more equity I am doing it.This time she was the 1st person I reached out to! Now I am selling and moving to Belize. She responds immediately! Like I do in my Pet Sitting Business! I was so impressed I followed her all this time. And was not disappointed!Pamela Nixonread more
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Wanted to give a shout-out to tacogirl belize for helping us! She is a plethora of knowledge and was super helpful and... responsive in helping us find longer term stay on the island. Thank you so much for your help!read more
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I've spent the last month exploring Belize. I'm retired & seriously considering moving down to Belize permanently from... the US. I contacted the local San Pedro expert "Taco Girl" to help me get started in finding an apartment to rent. With her help, I've located several places that meet my needs & budget requirements. Thank you Laurie!read more
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It was my first time visiting Belize and San Pedro so naturally I had a ton of questions when it came time to planning... the travel. Taco Gril's blog was an invaluable source of information for all the travel questions in Ambergris Caye. I was able to learn a lot of basic information, as well as many tips and tricks. In addition when I reached out to Taco Girl for advice on finding a local photographer and a restaurant recommendation, she was very quick to respond and gave me many helpful suggestions. She also provided a lot more information from a local's point of view, which was much for valuable than than a typical guidebook. Thanks to her helpful suggestions we were able to celebrate my daughter's birthday at a nice restaurant, and had a great photo family session with a local photographer. I'm very thankful for all her resources and knowledge.read more
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I started coming to San Pedro Belize in 2007 and that is when I met the online presence of Taco Girl. Her blogs on the... island and area are very personable and informative. She gives out promo codes from time to time so watch out for those. You cannot go wrong with someone who was a tourist and now lives here for quality info. Thanks Taco Girl for helping make my trips memorable!read more
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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
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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
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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
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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
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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
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Belize Blog Est. 2007

belize travel specialist

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 help planning and booking, please feel free to contact me.

SPARKING MY DESIRE

A few 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.

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