BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Auckland Star, Volume LXIX, Issue 101, 2 May 1938, Page 10

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

A VALUABLE SERVICE. DONORS SAVE MANY LIVES. VOLTTNTARY CONTRIBUTIONS. (By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.) CHRLSTCHURCH, this day. Nearly 20 people at present in ChristHiufeh owe their good, health, and posoibly their lives, to the work of the Xorth Canterbury branch of the National Blood Transfusion Service. Kevieu'inrr the work of the branch since il« inception last October, the secretary (Mr. C. H. Kersley) said that members were providing a valuable and voluntary contribution to the health and welfare of the community. Over r>o calk for transfusions had been received by tho organisation, which maintained a 24-hour a day service. At present there wae a membership of about 150, but the branch aimed at a roll of at least 250. The service was entirely voluntary, and blood donors included office girle, St. John Ambulance employees, employees of private firms and factories, and men at the railway workshops at Addington. Mr. Kersley, who with Dr. Edgar Thomson, assistant pathologist at the Public Hospital, is mainly responsible for the work of the branch, eaid that as little inconvenience ae possible was caused to donors. Most firms allowed employees time off, but where any expense was incurred members were reimbursed by the branch. Donors Feel Better Off. From one half to a pint of blood was taken from tho donor by tho needle extraction method, added Mr. Kersley, and the arm was not cut. It hud been conclusively proved that donors did not suffer any ill-eflecte ae the result of the operation, which was a minor one and entirely painless. On the contrary, it had been ascertained that in many cases the donor felt better off after the operation. The blood of all people foil into one of four groups, AB (1), A (2), B (3) and O (4). Members of the first group could receive blood from any of tho other groups, and those in the latter group could give blood to members of any other group. Although the response had been excellent, donors were still urgently needed, as the branch did not wish to call on members more than once a year whereever possible. In all instances, attempts were made to obtain the services of a relation of the patient before a donor was called in. No donor wae called upon more than once in three months, although in some cases donors had given blood more frequently without ill-effects. The service was confidential and each donor had a number.