BLOOD DONORS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume 79, 5 February 1944, Page 4

BLOOD DONORS

THE NEED IN NELSON MEDICAL SUPERINTENDENT’S APPEAL "There is a great need for the enrolment of mpre donors of blood in Nelson,” writes Dr. E. H. Clarke, acting Medical Superintendent at Nelson Hospital. “The unfortunate fact that not all pei*sons who desire to help can be used because they belong to other than Group O, (or IV as it used to be called) makes it important for us to have a large reserve of donors. If a series of emergencies occur our list of Group O donors is quickly used up and one hesitates to call on those we consider have too recently been required. “Another aspect of the matter I would point out is that it is not only for emergencies that blood is required. In the treatment of burns, of 'certain blood diseases, in preparing anaemic patients for operation, and in some chronic debilitating diseases, a transfusion may have to be given. There is no better tonic than a pint of healthy blood. We have not yet in Nelson had to adopt the method of storing blood, but fhc time is fast approaching when the institution of a Blood Bank here will be necessary. Modern developments in the use of plasma transfusion, that is. the use of fluid portion of the blood only, will enable us, in time, to use more of the donors who. because they belong to other than the generally useful Group O. have not been called on to any extent in the past. “Finally I would like to say a word of appreciation to those who have attended, often at most inconvenient hours, to render this service, the value of which they can be assured is beyond doubt.”'