Blood drive begins for Sean Paul's father

A blood drive has been planned for today to help with efforts to collect well-needed blood for Sean Paul's father, Garth Henriques.

The Grammy-nominated artiste has teamed up with the National Blood Transfusion Service of Jamaica to put on today's drive, which will take place at the National Chest Hospital at 35 1/2 Barbican Road in St Andrew. Persons can begin visiting the hospital from as early as 9 a.m. to donate blood. The drive ends at 4 p.m.

Additionally, persons between the ages of 17 and 60 are eligible to give blood as long as they meet certain requirements. Those wishing to donate should not have tattoos and piercings less than a year old, while persons with hypertension, asthma, sickle cell trait and diabetes can give blood as long as they are not on insulin. Donors must not have ingested marijuana at least three days before giving blood.

Physical examination

Upon arrival at the hospital, donors will undergo a physical examination to determine their blood group and haemoglobin levels.

Last week, the singer made public his father's health condition, via a post on social media, and used the platform to ask persons who can donate blood to come out and assist his father, who is in dire need. Mere moments after the entertainer posted the video, it was shared by other persons on Instagram, including fellow entertainers, who urged the public to support a man many of them described as a true patriot.