Woman’s Death Inspires Overdue Blood Drive in The Bahamas

By Deandrea Hamilton and Rashaed Esson

Editorial Staff

#TheBahamas, March 9, 2023 – The Bahamas Public Hospitals Authority, in one of its responses to the heart-breaking story and loss coming from the death of a young woman, wife and mother has finally held a blood drive; the first in years and the late Kenise Symonette-Darville is remembered amidst the effort.

A bittersweet initiative, the blood drive held on February 25 in Nassau and Freeport has raised the profile of the dire need for Blood Banks to be well stocked as a matter of life and death, literally.

Acutely aware of the pain of loss that can come from something as unimaginable as a public hospital functioning without the requisite resources is the family left behind by Kenise Darville who was laid to rest on February 11.  Nearly 6,000 people watched her funeral service online; a report which captivated a nation and certainly motivated right actions within the healthcare system.

Last month, Kenise took to Facebook live and spoke out about her experience at the Princess Margaret Hospital in Nassau, revealing that the doctors waited days before they informed her that she had to reach out to friends and family for blood donations due to insufficient blood supplies in the blood banks.

Following Kenise’s cry for help, a flyer was circulated to spread the word of her need for a blood transfusion.  Many people came forth in Darville’s time of need according to her husband, Jerad Darville, now wifeless and left to raise their three children without a mother.

“It was a joy to see us come together as a collective, to come together, to honour my wife, to fight for my family,” said Jerad tearfully.

Jerad was grateful for those who gave blood as other lives would be impacted, he has since been vocal about the disappointment he again faced as the investigation into the death of Darville exposed, according to his report to Bahamian media that his wife’s course of treatment could have and should have been different; had that been the case, Kenise would be alive today.

In Nassau, the blood drive was held at Sunshine Holdings and in Grand Bahama, ‘A Pint of Love’ as it was dubbed drew a record number of donors according to Minister for the island, Ginger Moxey.

“We are happy to see the Police recruits that are here, as well as the National Youth Guard, they’re here with a strong presence, about 30 I believe.  I think we’re making history today in terms of blood donated on a given day,” she said in an interview on the day.

Going forward, the vision according to Moxey is to make blood drives a frequent happening.

She said, “We want it to become the norm and, like the doctors had indicated earlier, after three months you can donate again.  So, we want to see it as a continuous effort.”