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Saturday, 28 January 2012 00:01 - - {{hitsCtrl.values.hits}}
Associates of top apparel exporter Brandix donated a record 2,277 pints of blood to the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) in 2011, reiterating their continuing commitment to the community.
This is the largest blood donation by a single institution to the NBTS in 2011. Brandix was also the largest blood donator of 2010 according to the NBTS, and exceeded that year’s contribution by 321 pints of blood in 2011.
In acknowledgement of the Group’s contribution in 2011, an award of appreciation was presented by the NBTS to Brandix at a ceremony at which the country’s largest apparel exporter pledged to continue its support with similar campaigns in the future.
Brandix has set itself a target of 2,500 pints of blood in 2012 through a series of donations at the Group’s manufacturing facilities around the country.
Brandix Casualwear Ltd., Avissawella was the largest contributor to the campaign – conducted over a 10-week period from September to December 2011 at Brandix manufacturing facilities – with 168 pints, followed by Brandix Essentials Central Ltd, Rambukkana with 156 pints. Over 100 pints of blood were collected at 10 locations at which the campaign was held.
“These donations by the associates of Brandix reflect the strong commitment of the Group as a whole, to the needs of the community,” said Brandix Group HRM Sujith Jayasekera, adding, “Many of our associates were extremely keen to support the campaign, even more than in years before, as evidenced by the final result.”
Expressing his gratitude to Brandix for the Group’s contribution to the nation’s health, NBTS Senior Consultant Transfusion Physician and the Acting Director Dr. Senarath Jayasekara noted that similar donations over a significant time period are necessary to fulfil the organisation’s requirements.
Other senior officials of the NBTS present at the ceremony pointed out that by being geographically widespread, the Brandix campaign increased supplies of blood in many areas including those that did not receive donations of significant volume compared with areas like Colombo. NBTS officials also noted that Brandix’s blood donation was extra significant as there has been a decline in the response of voluntary blood donors following the end of the war.
In another community initiative conducted parallel to the blood donation campaign, Brandix distributed more than 400 low-maintenance fluoride filters to families in the North Central Province after a series of Health and Water Clinics to identify people at risk of renal failure due to poor quality drinking water. More than 1,500 families in Anuradhapura, Polonnaruwa and Giritalé were screened with blood tests and analysis of their drinking water, for this initiative.
