BLOOD TRANSFUSION

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 284, 26 August 1940, Page 12

BLOOD TRANSFUSION

More Donors This Year In Wellington The Wellington branch of the National Blood Transfusion Service has had many losses from its ranks as the result of enlistments of both its donors aud medical advisers, according to the annual report of the branch. Both Dr. Eardjey L. Button, chairman, and Dr. J. Kennedy Elliott, of the committee, and approximately 50 biood donors, it was stated, had already joined the forces. A special appeal to women to assist in keeping the membership at full strength bad received many offers to serve in the humanitarian work. The 1939-40 membership was shown as 350 (202 males and 148 females), as against 26S (204 males and 64 females) in 1938-39. During the year 367 calls had been received for donors, making the total calls over a period of eight years 1194. Since the outbreak of war, the service has provided nine donors, whose blood has been used in connexion with the blood grouping of members of the NewZealand Expeditionary Force at Trentham military camp. The same procedure has been adopted in other parts of New Zealand, and the military authorities are most grateful for this practical effort which has been carried out by the service. The National Blood Transfusion Council of New Zealand advises that since the formation of the council thirteen new branches have been established throughout New Zealand, and the total membership now exceeds 1200 blood donors, which is practically double the figure of last year.