DONORS OF BLOOD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 184, 3 May 1934, Page 4

DONORS OF BLOOD

Wellington Service NOVEL ANNUAL MEETING A novel departure from the ordinary kind of annual meeting was made by the Wellington Blood Transfusion Service, which held its meeting at the Wellington Public Hospital last night. Arter preliminary business the assemblage, which consisted largely of voluntary donors of blood, was shown two educational films -depicting transfusion methods in Great Britain and in the United States of America. The pictures were explained by Dr. P. I. Lynch, pathologist at the hospital. Mr. F. Castle, president of the service, was chairman. The second annual report, for tne year ended January 31, 1934. showed that 84 calls for donors were received, as against 35 during the previous year. Not only the public hospital, but all hospitals in Wellington city, had been assisted. The membership of the service now totalled 119, divided into four groups. Hospital Appreciation. The following letter of appreciation had been received from the medical superintendent of the Wellington Hospital Dr. H. B. Ewen:—“The voluntary work rendered for suffering humanity by your members is of Inestimable value in the saving of lives, both directly in cases of severe injury or haemorrhage, and indirectly in the, building up of . patients’ resources and stamina in preparation for serious operations, and in cases, severe sepsis. I would like to take this opportunity of assuring your members that both the medical staff and the patients very greatly appreciate the assistance given so rapidly and so quickly when calls are made for their services. I would also like to say how much we appreciate the organisation and administration of tlie service for which you have made yourself responsible.” In thanking the donors, Dr. Campbell Begg said that he was proud to be associated with the fine group of young men and women who had volunteered without any hope or desire for gain for this community service. There was a general impression abroad that the young people of New Zealand were more imbued with the love of sport and personal pleasure than with an interest in the social and material welfare of the country. The group they had formed proved otherwise. It was no light thing to face the ordeal of attendance in hospitals apart from the preliminary time taken up in investigation in order to test the blood. The Wellington Hospital had gained very considerably both in efficiency and in actual finance through them; and he thought it only right that the Hospital Board should reciprocate by giving some concession in regard to hospital fees when those who had given so freely for others were themselves in need of medical attention. A special vote of thanks was passed to the honorary secretary, Mr. C. Meachen.

The following officers were elected : — President, Mr. F. Castle; committee. Dr. Campbell Begg (chairman) and Drs. P. P. Lynch, R. B. Martin, T. D. M. Stout, and D. MacD. Wilson; honorary secretary and treasurer, Mr. C Meachen.