Edmond Campbell, News Coordinator
Sonya Binns, top female blood donor in Jamaica and phlebotomist at the Central Medical Laboratory in St. Andrew.
Blazing a trail of goodwill for more than two decades, Sonya Binns is not a stranger to many Jamaicans. Her feat is rooted in selflessness and a love for humanity.
Not only has she achieved the status of being the leading female blood donor in Jamaica, but her passion and commitment to 'saving lives' through a voluntary deed is noteworthy.
A period of bereavement after the passing of her daughter, Francine, in February 2006, did not break her consistent stride in donating the precious fluid that saves lives.
But what is it that prompted thi Jamaican woman to chalk up a record 59 pints of blood over the last 24 years.
The brave sibling
The year was 1983, when her sister Grace Binns was pregnant and the child's father was overseas. A member of the family had to give blood.
No one wanted to volunteer because of the fear of the needle and there were also doubts at the time about whether one could contract a disease while donating blood. However, being the brave sibling in the family, Sonya took on the challenge.
So eager was Sonya to give blood for her sister that she,at first, did not remember one critical requirement for giving over the precious substance. Sonya was 17 years old, and the Blood Bank had strict stipulations that only persons aged 18 years and older could donate blood.
"So I lied, I told them I was 18," she erupted in laughter, during an interview at her Barbican home in St. Andrew.
When the moment arrived, Sonya's courage wilted and she was almost overcome with nervousness, but the competent staff at the Blood Bank managed to allay her fears.
Now an expert in the business of extracting blood, Sonya, a phlebotomist for 10 years at Central Medical Labs, tried to convince this reporter that the process is virtually painless.
With a record that will take years to equal, Sonya's zeal for donating blood has not waned and, in fact, may be unparalleled for decades to come.
Being the selfless person that she is, Sonya's quest to help others has ignited an evangelistic fervour that has prompted her to find new converts to donate blood.
"I have encouraged friends and families to give blood and they gave and Sweets (her daughter) is now providing competition, she has donated six times."
Sonya's record-breaking achievement started in earnest after she was employed at the National Blood Transfusion Service (Blood Bank) in 1986. There, she became convinced that the procedure involved in donating blood was, in fact, safe, and this helped to pave the way for her to become one of the most diligent blood donors in Jamaica.
"There was a slogan at the Blood Bank, that 'the blood you give today may save your life tomorrow'. They also had another slogan which says 'blood donors make the best lovers', it's like a passion for me now to give blood," she says.
A life-saving deed
Sonya Binns (right) and her daughter Sweets Lawrence, who has made six donations to date at the Blood Bank.
"I give blood every three months, I can't wait for the period to expire so I can give the next pint. When I give blood today, I count down the months for the next time I am to give," she says with enthusiasm.
Many persons who know that Sonya gives blood on a regular basis often call her requesting a donation on behalf of a friend or family member. "Just to know you are helping somebody is enough for me to want to give," she adds.
But donating blood is not only about demonstrating goodwill, according to Sonya, explaining that there are incentives for carrying out the kind, but also a life-saving deed.
"You get a free medical check-up whenever you go, you get a free haemoglobin check," she points out, explaining that if a person's haemoglobin or blood pressure is low, the blood is not taken, as this could be deleterious to the person's health.
The National Blood Transfusion Services has recognised her efforts on many occasions and she has received awards in appreciation of her support to the Blood Bank.
Will continue to donate
"I have received plaques and certificates. When they opened the new Blood Bank at the National Chest Hospital, I was asked to cut the ribbon to open the facility and up to recently, I was awarded at th Court Hotel for being the top female blood donor," she says.
She urges Jamaicans to make a special effort to give blood at this time, noting that a general election was just under a week from now and as a precautionary measure, it would be useful to provide the Blood Bank with additional blood.
The leading female blood donor says she will continue donating the vital substance until it is not possible for her to continue. "It's my hobby giving blood. I love it," she says.
Eating right is a precondition to donating blood on a regular basis. Food with nutrients such as iron is important to a person's haemogoblin level and, as such, blood donors are advised to boost their iron level before giving blood.
"Some people come to the Blood Bank and realise that their haemogoblin is too low so they start to eat calaloo, string beans, green bananas, liver and so on to give them iron, so it's good to eat right because we need healthy people to give blood."
edmond.campbell@gleanerjm.com
