Originally spoken by President Roosevelt in his first inaugural address in March, 1933, it might also be the slogan of the Blood Bank run by the Bermuda Red Cross at the King Edward Hospital.

For contrary to popular belief, giving blood does not hurt, jeopardise health, or give anyone AIDS.

"Blood saves lives,'' nurse Mrs. Ann Jones said. "Without blood donors, many patients would not be here today.'' Nor is the Blood Bank a squeamish scene. Situated on the hospital's first floor with big windows and comfortable chairs, the facility is staffed by friendly volunteer nurses who make donors feel at home.

"Clinics are really a social event. You always see happy faces up here, and when they leave donors say, `See you in six months' time','' Mrs. Jones said.

"They are always meeting others they know up here, it's not uncommon for someone to stay an hour instead of the 30 minutes it takes to give blood, chatting away to someone else who is donating.'' That there is such a family atmosphere among some 2,000 donors is a tribute to the smooth, efficient way the Blood Bank is run.

Donor clinics are held twice weekly on Tuesdays and Fridays between 9.15 a.m.

and 2 p.m., and Mrs. Jones says the whole process takes just thirty minutes from the time a donor walks through the door until they've enjoyed post-donation refreshments.

Many donors have been on the register for years, and they come from all walks of life. Unlike the United States for example, where donors may give blood every 56 days, Bermuda's donors are only tapped twice a year.

"Our regular donors are very supportive and reliable and we like to pamper them,'' Mrs. Jones said.

In addition to the regular register, the Blood Bank maintains an emergency donors' register -- people on whom they can call at very short notice, even in the middle of the night.

"Five companies and the Bermuda Police are on the emergency register,'' Mrs.

Jones noted. "The Police are the ones we normally call out in the middle of the night.'' Personnel from the United States Naval Air Station and the Canadian Forces are regular contributors, and the twice-yearly donations of the Canadians will be missed, Mrs. Jones said.

In an AIDS-conscious age, there is still great apprehension in the public mind about the possibility of contracting the fatal disease through donating or transfusions -- something Mrs. Jones was anxious to allay.

"In an island as small as this, we know our donors pretty well,'' she said, "but in any case, all potential donors are carefully screened -- including a blood test for venereal disease (VD), hepatitis and AIDS before it is ever given to the patients.'' Blood is also checked for haemoglobin content, and in all cases where a problem is detected on any disease, a report is sent direct to the donor's doctor for further action.

But before their blood is even tested, potential donors must read a questionnaire which includes questions on their lifestyle and medical history.

It also advises the reader not to pursue donating blood if they already know they have one of the three diseases or are unsuitable medically.

But what about autologus donors -- those who donate their own blood for use during and after surgery if it is needed? Is this method safer? "A lot of people think the autologus donation is best, and second best is someone they know, but that is where the business of having the family antibody bit comes in,'' the hospital's chief pathologist Dr. Keith Cunningham, explained.

In any case, autologus donors are advised to check with their physicians before proceeding.

As for friends or family lining up their own donors for a specific patient, Dr. Cunningham said these were discouraged for several reasons, including antibody reactions and other potential health risks.

"You can argue that it is safer to receive blood from a known Blood Bank donor than a family member or friend who, in an emergency situation, may have been coerced into giving blood -- and who knows what uncle Harry has been up to?'' Dr. Cunningham noted. "The person who voluntarily gives blood at the Blood Bank is doing so for altruistic reasons.'' Mrs. Jones noted that demand for blood was markedly up over last year, so more donors than ever were needed -- particularly since the "shelf life'' of blood is just 35 days.

"Already we are 200 pints ahead of this time last year,'' she said. "That amount is roughly three weeks-worth of donors, so more are always needed. We keep roughly 110 pints of blood in the 'fridge (at any one time).'' Blood types A and O are the most frequently used and stored. Donors of rarer types are generally alerted as needed.

And what of the actual act of giving blood? Does it hurt? "No, it doesn't hurt because we give a local anaesthetic first,'' Mrs. Jones assured. "The worst part is in the donor's mind -- the thought of doing it.

The first time the person doesn't know what they are facing. After that it's a piece of cake.

"Besides, you can always bring a friend for moral support -- and the friend will not be coerced into giving blood.'' But what about the sight of seeing one's blood going into the donor bag? Isn't that unpleasant? "Donors don't see that unless they really look because they are lying down and the bag is below the level of their arm,'' Mrs. Jones explained.

Blood Banks are held on Tuesdays between 9.15 a.m. and 1.30 p.m. and on Thursdays between 1.30 p.m. and 3.30 p.m. If you are between 18 and 70 and would like more information on becoming a blood donor, please telephone 236-5067.

Dr. Keith Cunningham SAVING LIVES -- Regular Blood Bank donors Mr. Lloyd Burgess (foreground) and Mrs. Karen Campbell-Jones (behind him) happily give pints to save lives.

Assisting in the process are Blood Bank nursing supervisor Mrs. Ann Jones (right) and Dr. Christiane Harris (behind her).