Stanbic Bank Botswana remains steadfast in realising its brand promise to make progress real and move Botswana forward through relevant and meaningful financial solutions, as well as through strategic collaborations with community development operations. On Friday the 20th of July 2018, the Bank built further upon its contribution to the increase of National blood donation efforts by partnering with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) for a blood donation drive held at the Bank’s Head office in Fairgrounds, Gaborone.
Stanbic Bank engaged staff, customers and stakeholders, with a total of 21 pints donated during the course of the day-long initiative, also sharing important education on the need for regular donation by eligible persons, and pre- and post-donation care. The Bank also donated snack packs to the NBTS for future blood donors to receive after they are bled.
“Botswana continues to see an overwhelming occurrence of trauma patients being admitted to hospitals in need of blood transfusions, and yet the repository of blood in our National blood bank is low. This is a National issue that needs urgent attention, and the NBTS has, a number of times, made a clarion call asking for assistance and donations. We have heard their call and we want to help. Through our strategic partnerships such as NTBS, we aim to be part of the solution by encouraging our community to make donating blood part of their lifestyle. This is how we, as individuals and as a collective, can come together to pay it forward and make progress real,” said Stephanie Stoneham, Head of Marketing at Stanbic Bank Botswana of Stanbic Bank Botswana.
According to NBTS, it is estimated that 1 pint of blood can save 3 lives. At present, the National demand stands at 40,000 units required for the local blood bank, and yet current donor levels stand at 20,000 to 25,000 units donated per year on average. This is 15,000 units shy of the National target, and the reserve continues to deplete on a daily basis.
The blood donation drive was open to all members of the community who wished to donate and contribute to this great cause.
“The initiative was positive and a success in many ways, and we are pleased to have seen a good turnout from the community. We thank our valuable customers, stakeholders and friends of Stanbic Bank Botswana for their participation and their support, cognizant, however, of the fact that yet the work does not stop here. We can all do more to ensure a sustainable solution to the challenges that the NBTS faces. This is just the beginning. We look forward to doing more in the coming years in our continued commitment and efforts to move our communities forward,” concluded Stoneham.