The Rotary Club of Anguilla (RCA) unveiled its daring plan to raffle a half acre plot of land for only US $25. The raffle was unveiled at the RCA’s Foundation Dinner, on Sunday 13th December, 2015, at Aleta Restaurant, Viceroy Anguilla.
The deed for the land to be auctioned was handed over – by the donor himself, Mr. Albert Lake – to the President of the Rotary Club of Anguilla, Mrs. Genefa Fedee. The half acre of land is located in Black Gardens. The raffle is to be drawn on May 30th 2016, Anguilla Day.
In her remarks, Mrs. Fedee said, “The Rotary Club of Anguilla has embarked on a project to provide much needed equipment to set up a blood bank for Anguilla. The project is categorized under Rotary’s area of focus: Disease Prevention and Treatment”. The blood bank is to be housed at the Princess Alexandra Hospital (PAH) which currently does not have a blood bank. Rotartians will be selling tickets for the land raffle. The total cost of the project is slated at US $70,000.00.
Minister responsible for Health and Social Development, Hon. Evans McNeil Rogers expressed gratitude to the RCA: “I have to commend the efforts of the Rotary Club of Anguilla. This is not something new in terms of Rotary stepping up to the plate and being what I call, a good corporate citizen. They have done a lot in Anguilla, not only in the healthcare field – and on behalf of the people of Anguilla I would like to thank Rotary International for their continued efforts in raising funds, donating their time towards a worthy cause and the overall development of our beautiful homeland”. Minister Rogers used the occas to once again express his interest in building a new medical facility on Anguilla, “A modern day medical facility must be built on Anguilla. Our healthcare facility – the only 24-hour healthcare facility – from a physical standpoint, leaves a lot to be desired. We have to collaborate in upgrading the physical facilities from a healthcare perspective in Anguilla. This is my mission in this 5-year term to make sure that we realize this dream”. Mr. Rogers also thanked Viceroy Anguilla for its US $45,000 donation to the Hospital.
Part of the proceedings from the Foundation Dinner will also go towards the blood bank project. The RCA is seeking to provide several pieces of equipment to the PAH in an effort to improve healthcare and save lives. The equipment comprise: Blood Bank Centrifuge; 23.3 u Ft single glass door 115 v Blood Bank Refrigerator; 20 C (Upright solid single door 115 v) Blood Bank Freezer; Platelet Agitator (5-10 units); equipment for donation process (two balances with timing device, strippers and a heat sealer); 70 C (Upright solid singe door 115 v) Blood Bank Freezer; one small Plasma Thawer and capacity one and two cold chain transport units.
It is hoped that the blood bank will become a reality in 2016.
