A SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Evening Post, Volume CXXIII, Issue 59, 11 March 1937, Page 8

A SERVICE TO HUMANITY

Of all the services" that man can perform for suffering fellow-man there is probably none that impresses the imagination so profoundly as the gift of blood from one to another for the saving of health and even of life. The development of medical science has opened up in recent years new and wider fields for this service and the demand on donors is increasing. It is therefore -gratifying to learn that the appeal made on behalf of the Wellington Blood, Transfusion Service has met with a response that reflects credit on the spirit of service in the community. At the annual meeting of the service last night the chairman of the committee (Dr. Martin) stated that if the accession of members were maintained the disparity between membership and calls on the service would soon be overcome. At the same time the work was increasing at a; tremendous rate. One of the best features about the Wellington institution is that the gift of blood is voluntary and honorary, and it was the opinion of the chairman and also of Sir James Elliott, chairman of the Wellington Centre of the St. John Ambulance Association, that the voluntary giving of blood should be encouraged and the voluntary system maintained as long as it was possible to do so. A paid service would be on a lower plane. For all therefore who come forward in this service to humanity there can be nothing but admiration and gratitude not only from the sufferers who benefit but from the whole community.