Drive to raise number of blood donors

The Ghaqda Donaturi tad-Demm (Blood Donors` Association) aims at increasing the number of regular blood donors from 4,000 to 5,000 a year.

Spokesman Philip Chircop said on world blood donors day yesterday that 18,700 people offered to donate blood last year but the number of actual donations was 16,800.

Only 4,000 of these were regular donors who give blood three to four times a year.

He said that 20 to 30 donors gave blood daily and the organisation aimed to increase this average to 50.

Mr Chircop said the number of actual donors should go up to 18,000 to ensure there was enough blood available to meet demand.

President Guido de Marco visited the national blood centre at St Luke`s Hospital in Guardamangia and Archbishop Joseph Mercieca called at the SMOM centre in Floriana.

Delegations from unions, the police and civil protection gave blood at the hospital while representatives from political parties and the Association of General Retailers gave blood at the SMOM. Among donors yesterday were MLP secretary Jimmy Magro and other party officials.