Blood Donations Rise By 1151

Press, Volume CVI, Issue 31363, 8 May 1967, Page 12

Blood Donations Rise By 1151

A total of 12,285 donations was received by the North Canterbury Blood Transfusion Service in 1966-67, an increase of 1151 donations over 196566, according to the annual report to be tabled at the twenty-ninth annual meeting of the service.

Blood bank donations increased by 89 and mobile unit donations by 1062. Blood donor membership is now 7383, an increase of 360 members. Of these, 3517 attend the mobile unit and 3866 the blood bank. During the year 2971 units of blood were issued to the Christchurch Hospital and 2903 units to Princess Margaret Hospital. Other hospitals received 1718 units. These figures show a decrease of 200 units on 1965-66.

The mobile unit made 31 visits and collected 3637 units from 3517 donors. The blood bank received 8648 units from its 3866 donors. One donor has now made 90 donations; one has given 80: 11 have given 70, 17 have given 60, and 40 have given 50. Four donations were given by 530 donors and three by 1512 donors. During the year 1054 donors did not attend.

“Your unselfish willingness to donate your own blood so that another might live is something more than a casual matter,” said the annual report, thanking the donors. “The gratitude of the patient and those who are near and dear to him go without saying, of course: but we want you to know that the blood bank’s appreciation is very real, for often, in spite of the most complete facilities and trained personnel, we are helpless without the cooperation of people like you. “The giving of blood is one of the most important social services that a person can do in the modern world, which tends to rely less and less on voluntary human activity,” it said.

“Blood is a living tissue and there is no substitute for it. There is no source of supply other than people compassionate enough to make this gift for others. The responsibility of maintaining this vital service belongs “to the community.” During the 1966-67 period, 50 urgent requests for blood

of unusual groups, were made, and all were met. The blood bank at the Christchurch Public Hospital will be open to receive donations on: Monday, 9 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.: Tuesday, 1.30 p.m. to 3.45 p.m. and 6.45 p.m. to 7.45 p.m.; Wednesday, 9 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.; Thursday. 1.30 p.m. to 3.45 p.m.; Friday, 9 a.m. to 10.45 a.m.; Saturday, 9 a.m. to 10 a.m.

The mobile unit usually goes out on Thursday and sometimes on Wednesday so the blood bank is not always open on those days. The financial statement showed £95 14s 2d excess receipts over payments for 196M7.