For more than 30 years, Cornell Fox, who donated blood every three to six months, managed to supply more than 50 pints of lifesaving blood to Bermuda's hospital.

His regular visits to the Blood Donor Bank at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital will now, the 58-year-old hopes, be a family affair.

That's because Mr. Fox is encouraging his son, Cornell Fox II, a recent graduate of the boarding school Ashbury College in Ottawa to follow his lead.

Not needing much encouragement, the 17-year-old has already made two donations in the past year and hopes his speaking out will inspire others. "It's not as scary as some people think it is," he said. "It's painless and it's quick."

Mr. Fox, an account representative for the Argus Group, is still surprised at how many myths still surround the donation of blood.

"I try to encourage people at every opportunity but there's still a lot of myths about giving blood," he said.In a drive to ensure lives can continue to be saved, the Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and the Bermuda Red Cross are trying to encourage more people to join the donor community.

The Blood Donor Centre, which is run jointly by Bermuda Hospitals Board (BHB) and Bermuda Red Cross at the King Edward VII Memorial Hospital was set up in 1965 and has about 40 Red Cross volunteers who are regularly assist BHB nursing staff and technologists in the clinics.

While many may think of blood being necessary for road accidents, it's actually the cancer, sickle cell and chronic anaemia patients who need it on a constant basis, according to Betsie Lombard, Medical Director of the Blood Transfusion Service that keeps the demand on the blood bank up.

Ms Lombard said: "When the accident victims use the donated blood, they use it erratically in a large amount.

"We always have a reserve in our blood bank of 50 pints which is constantly updated. We hold it for 42 days, but we barely throw any out because of our updating process.

"We are fortunate that our existing donors are so supportive and I would like to thank each of them as they come time and time again to ensure Bermuda has enough blood for those in need.

"However, we really need to increase our donor pool so that there is less pressure on our small group of donors.

"Approximately three percent of the Bermuda community donates, compared to six percent in most developed countries. We are therefore using World Blood Day to reach out to the community and ask for help in saving lives."

World Blood Donor Day, which aims to promote the importance of people donating regularly, is tomorrow and through increasing advertisements and education the BHB and Red Cross hope to increase their numbers.

Ann Spencer-Arscott, director of the Bermuda Red Cross, said: "We hope more people in Bermuda will become a blood donor and help us save lives.

"Our volunteers will be there to make it as comfortable as possible, from welcoming you at the door to providing refreshments once you have donated. Being a blood donor means you are saving lives.

"So many people benefit — including cancer patients, sickle cell anaemia sufferers, people undergoing surgery, from the very young to the elderly. You never know when it will be someone you love."

Helping those wishing to donate will be increased parking at the hospital as well as three clinic days that run from 8.30 a.m. to 3.30 p.m. on Tuesday and Thursday, as well as Wednesday mornings.

For an appointment call the blood donor clinic at: 236-5067.