Over 250 people donate blood over Christmas

Around 250 people have donated blood over the past three days, the National Blood Transfusion Centre told The Malta Independent yesterday.

The centre has made numerous appeals for blood donations, with the latest last week, as blood stocks at the blood bank remain low.

The National Blood Transfusion Centre has informed this newsroom that since Saturday, 22 December there has been a significant increase in people donating blood, and that more than 250 people have donated blood over the past three days.

A spokesperson said that while the centre had been quite busy over the past few days, it hoped that the numbers would increase further, especially during the festive period, when it is important for the blood bank to have a good reserve of all types of blood.

The service said last week that there are hundreds of patients being operated on in Malta and Gozo, or receiving treatment for cancer requiring blood transfusions. All types of blood are needed.

The Blood Donation Centre, just outside St Luke’s Hospital in Gwardamanġa, is open daily from 8am to 6pm, including weekends.

Those donating blood are asked to take with them their ID card, driver’s licence or Maltese passport.

Donors are asked to also encourage others to donate.

During the Milied Flimkien event last week, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca highlighted the importance of being altruistic, appealing for more blood and organ donations. Students from Santa Luċija Secondary School spoke about the importance of organ donation and the difference it can make to the lives of others.