BLOOD DONORS

Grey River Argus, 27 August 1946, Page 4

BLOOD DONORS

GREYMOUTH SOCIETY Formed at Representative Meeting The proposal to form a voluntary blood donors’ society in Greymouth had the unanimous approval of over sixty representatives from practically every public and sporting organisation in the district, when a meeting convened by Drs. S. Barclay and M. J. Otley and J. A. Mclnroe was held in the Council Chambers last night. The Mayor (Mr F. A. Kitchingham) presided over the meeting, at which there were represented the Red Cross Organisation, Greymouth, and Runanga St. John Ambulance Brigade, Harbour Board Employees’ Union, Grey Valley Miners’ Union, State Miners’ Union, Runanga and Grey Valley District Medical Societies, Rotary Club, Young People’s Club, religious organisations, Rugby Union, Rugby League, Hockey Association, Returned Services’ Association, P. & T, Department Employees, Registered Nurses’ Association, ißlaketown-Pres-ton Road Ratepayers’ Association, Loco Drivers. Firemen and Cleaners’ Association, Railway Officers’ Institute, Amalgamated Society of Railway Servants, the West Coast Cycling Club and West Coast Boxing and Wrestling Association. . In opening the meeting, the Mayor expressed his appreciation of such a representative gathering, and such interest being taken in the formation of a society He outlined how the use of blood banks and blood transfusions had kept down the fatality lisits in the recent war, as compared with the war of 1914-18, stating that the medical corps had organised and maintained an elaborate system for the use of blood plasma for those who were in need of blood. “The object of the meeting,” he said, “is to put such a service into practice in Greymouth. Doctor S. Barclay str sed the dire need for the formation of a society in Greymouth. In 1933 a blood donors’ society was formed in New Zealand, and at the beginning of the war all of the troops were blood-typed, so that, if wounded, they could be given the right type of blood at once. He said that the value of blood donors in civilian life was as great, as if not greater, than that of donors on the battlefront. Transfusions were used to prepare elderly people for operations, and were also used for small babies who had either too much blood or not enough. There were about 15,000 people living in Greymouth and the surrounding districts, some of whom were engaged in dangerous work, which resulted in many accidents. The laboratory at the Grey River Hospital was in operation but at present lacked blood donors, this often meaning a delay of an average of three hours in contacting volunteers. In ordinary circumstances the transfusion would take place within half an hour if volunteers were available. In order that a blood barb’: might be formed, the society, should be a voluntary organisation, and no blood should be bought or sold, but the people should donate their blood for the good of the patient, and the community concerned. Dr M. J. Otley then explained the technique of taking and using blood. He stated that in early times blood transfusions were not successful, as much damage was done to the patient because of the clotting of blood. He demonstrated with a voluntary donor from the meeting the simplicity of the operation in donating blood. The main items he stressed in taking the blood were: (1) To sterilise the skin with an antiseptic; (2) .to inject a local anaesthetic into the arm; (3) toadd a solution of sitrate to the flask in order that the blood would not clot; (4) the needle was inserted into the arm and blood pumped -into the flask; (5) a sample of the blood would then be tested. The rest of the blood being placed in the bank. He stated that the life of blood, when kept frigid, was about three weeks, and aftei- that period the plasma could be taken off and stored indefinitely. Doctor. Barclay stated that it would be possible to make plasma in any quantity at the hospital, but due to laboratory staff shortage, plasma now •had to be obtained from Christchurch. Of late, some was obtained from the War Assets Realisation Board. He would like to see about 300 donors offer their services to the district, adding that persons between 17 and 70 years of age would be eligible to give blood. He would prefer to see people between the ages of 20 and 50 offer their services.

ELECTION OF OFFICERS It was decided to form a society, and officers were elected as follows: President,'Mr F. A. Kitchingham; secretary, Mr J. A. Mclnroe; deputysecretary, Mr G. Oldham; committee, Messrs A. Agnew F. Costello, F. McEnaney and Rev. Father J. McCarthy, with representatives from the Runanga, Blackball, Dobson, Brunner and Ngahere districts. It was resolved that if delegates were unable to attend meetings they were to send a substitute member. Doctors {Barclay and Otley were appointed as medical advisers. At the close of the meeting a vote of thanks was accorded Doctors Barclay and Otley and Mi' Kitchingham, being carried by acclamation. At a subsequent meeting of' the committee it was stated that the Hospital Board had agreed to meet all transport costs for blood-typing oi transfusion. . , It was decided to prepare forms to be completed by prospective donors and to seek the co-operation of employers in facilitating attendances of volunteers when required at t h The appointment of a chairman of the executive committee was held over until receipt of the names ot delegates from country districts. At the close of the meeting 25 names were handed in as blood donors, and these along with subsequent volunS be notified later> the date on which they are required for typino- purposes.