The blood drive will be the second of its kind to be held at Port Denarau.

Port Denarau retail and commercial centre, centre manager Aysha Koya said they had 60 donors in their previous blood drive.

She said 51 qualified to donate blood during the drive.

“We ask the public to come down and take part on the 20th of this month because it will be for a worthy cause,” Miss Koya said.

“There are about 450 staff working here in the marina and this time we are hoping to target the staff.

“This drive is all about giving back to the community which is something we here are all about.

“It will cater for the need for blood in hospitals not only here in Nadi but around Fiji,” Ms Koya said.

“We see there are insufficient blood in the hospital so this is one of the ways we can help.

“We are urging the public to come down on October 20 and donate a pint of blood,” she said.

Port Denarau operations manager Inez Fong Toy said this blood drive is organised by them.

Mrs Fong Toy said this is an awareness programme that will highlight the importance of saving a life and also the need for blood.

South Seas Cruises sales executive Melissa Natawake said they had planned this for over a month.

“It is always good in letting the people know in advance so that they can make time to come down and donate blood,” she said.

There will be giveaways during the blood drive where blood donors get a raffle ticket after they donate.