More blood donors needed

Blood supplies for hospitals could reach a critical low next week unless more donors turn up at the national blood bank.

"So far, the situation is not critical but it will be in a week's time, which is why we are appealing for donors in advance," explained Alex Aquilina, the head of the National Blood Transfusion Service.

About 70 donors of all blood groups are needed every day to keep a healthy stock of blood.

Every summer, the blood supply drops by about 20 per cent because of the heat and people going on holiday. Moreover, blood donations from the University campus and sixth forms slow down.

But while donations drop, the demand for blood remains constant in summer.

Official figures released earlier this year showed that just over 19,500 people donated blood in 2009, a drop of about 900 over 2008. About 2,800 people donated blood for the first time last year, a slight drop when compared to the estimated 2,940 first-time donors in 2008.

About one pint of blood, almost 450ml, is extracted each time and split into three products: plasma, platelets and red blood cells concentrate. This means each donor helps three different patients. The blood transfusion clinic, located in St Luke's Square, Guardamangia, is open every day between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m.