Grace Foods partners with NBTS to incentivise blood donors
Grace Foods, a division of GraceKennedy Limited (GKL) on Monday handed over an initial donation of Grace Mighty Malt and Grace Food Drink to the National Blood Transfusion Services (NBTS).
This is a part of a new initiative to assist the NBTS in its effort to incentivize donors who contribute the life-saving blood, currently in short supply due to stay in place orders issued by the government to curb the spread of the novel coronavirus (COVID-19).
Through the initiative, Grace Foods will make monthly donations of Grace Mighty Malt and Grace Food Drink to be used by the Blood Bank as an incentive to blood donors.
The initiative is keeping with the long-standing relationship between the GraceKennedy Group and the NBTS.
“Our association with the Blood Bank goes way back. Every year the Group has an annual blood drive to increase the supply of blood to the Blood Bank. And over the years we have also been donating products which assist the Blood Bank with its blood collection drives as our products are given to donors to refresh them after they have given blood,” said Karen Willis-Mussington, Senior Brand Manager, Beverages at Grace Foods.
Willis-Mussington further explained that following Grace Foods’ recent introduction of Grace Mighty Malt to Jamaican consumers, the team considered that this would be an ideal product for persons, such as blood donors, who are trying to boost their nutritional intake.
“Grace Mighty Malt is fuel for those who want to make the most of their day and make every moment count. Right now, there is no better candidate to receive complimentary Grace Mighty Malt, than the extraordinary persons dedicated to helping others during this COVID-19 pandemic – including our medical workers, and our blood donors,” she added.
In expressing appreciation to Grace Foods for the donation, Dr Danielle Levy, Medical Doctor on-site at the Slipe Pen Road location of The Blood Bank, noted that with the severe shortage of blood, there is a need to incentivise donors to visit blood banks and that the staff are more than prepared to ensure the safety and comfort of donors who do choose to donate.
“With Grace coming on board and providing us with Mighty Malt, it is an incentive for donors to come out and donate. We are so grateful to Grace for providing us with this incentive that we can pass on to them,” she said.
Igol Allen, Blood Donor Organiser, noted, “We’re excited to continue our partnership in this new and refreshing way. These products are what we use in terms of refreshing our donors once they donate. So, in more ways than one, Grace is contributing to nation-building by supporting us here at the NBTS, but also ensuring the health and wellness of Jamaican people. We look forward to many more years to come.”
Introduced to the local market in March 2020, Grace Mighty Malt is a classic, premium non-alcoholic energy malt drink which is rich in taste and a good source of Vitamins B6, B12 and Biotin.
These nutritional contents are perfect for candidates donating blood as Vitamin B6 helps with the creation of red blood cells and treats anaemia while Vitamin B12 also assists with red blood cell formation and provides an energy boost.
Source: loopjamaica.com