Saint Catherine, Jamaica – On June 11, 2025, Jamaica Broilers Group (JBG) joined forces with the National Blood Transfusion Service (NBTS) to host one of the largest local corporate blood drives to date. Team members from various JBG locations converged at the company’s Best Dressed Chicken Processing Plant and donated an impressive 103 units of blood in a unified effort to save lives across Jamaica.
A part of the company’s series of employee engagement activities under the theme “Serving Together with God’s guidance” the drive registered a total of 176 individuals, and after medical screenings, 103 were cleared to donate. In addition to this, 18 JBG staff volunteers – including the company’s nurses – assisted the NBTS team in serving those who came out for the cause.
This year’s event builds on the momentum of the company’s inaugural blood drive in 2024, when the team donated 40 pints of blood during a critical national shortage. Though smaller in volume, that first effort had an immediate and tangible impact, benefiting several patients including relatives of Jamaica Broilers employees.
“Our first donation drive last year made a bigger difference than we could have imagined,” said Trecia Allen, Group safety, standards and sustainability manager at Jamaica Broilers. “Some of those units were used to help save the lives of relatives of our own employees, and that really hit home for us. So, this year, we knew we had to do more, and our staff turned out in a big way. Over 100 units later, we are humbled to play a part in something so life changing.”.
According to the NBTS, Jamaica requires a minimum of 60,000 units of blood annually to meet national demand. However, donations often fall short, making strong corporate partnerships a vital part of the country’s health system.
Igol Allen, blood donor organiser at the National Blood Transfusion Service, applauded the Jamaica Broilers Group for its outstanding contribution to the nation. “Corporate blood drives are absolutely essential to maintaining a steady supply at the blood bank,” Allen said. “The JBG team has really shown extraordinary commitment, and their contribution has ranked among the top in the corporate sector. We encourage other companies to follow their lead and mobilise their teams. Every unit of blood donated is three lives potentially saved.”
Among the many employees who rolled up their sleeves was Keiron Burey, marketing coordinator, at the Best Dressed Chicken.
“To be honest, I was nervous about donating blood, I’d never done it before, and it scared me,” Burey admitted. “But being part of this company has taught me that service isn’t just a value, it’s a responsibility. Donating blood might seem like a small act, but it carries real weight. When we do this, we’re not just giving blood; we’re strengthening our healthcare system, one unit at a time. That’s something I’m proud to stand behind.”
Recognised annually on June 14, World Blood Donor Day serves as a powerful reminder of the ongoing need for life-saving blood donations. The success of Jamaica Broilers blood drive underscores the role private sector mobilisation can play in bolstering public health. With only a fraction of the nation’s annual blood demand currently being met, large-scale corporate drives are emerging as a critical pillar in the nation’s blood supply strategy. The NBTS continues to urge private-sector partners to step forward, as the need remains both urgent and ongoing.
