January 11, 2002

Dear Sir,

I am grateful for the opportunity to publicly thank some very special members of the Bermuda community.

Last week, a considerable number of regular blood donors were contacted by the Bermuda Red Cross Blood Donor Centre at King Edward VII Memorial Hospital and asked to donate blood for a patient in need of transfusions.

While this in itself is not unusual, the blood from these donors needed a specific sub-typing test for compatibility. This test had to be done PRIOR to donating, which meant that the prospective donors had to make two trips to the hospital - one for the blood test that day, and the other for the blood donation the following day.

These donors, at a moment's notice, gave their services very willingly, cheerfully, and without hesitation. As a result of this outstanding cooperation, testing criteriae were met and the required amount of blood was collected and ultimately transfused to the patient.

The Bermuda Red Cross Blood Donor Centre has been described as "the envy of all our sister societies". This is largely due to the unique cooperation of our independent donors and our corporate donors, who are so vital in helping us maintain such a high standard of service to the community.

While we operate with a "comfortable" donor base, we are always in need of new donors, and we urge all community-minded citizens - and companies -- To Join a Trend - Help a Friend. Please call the undersigned at 295-7178 or the Blood Donor Centre at 236-5067. To give blood is to give life.

BARBARA COOPER

Chairperson - Bermuda Red Cross

Blood Donor Centre