Blood: The ultimate gift

Raymond Grech beams as he plumps himself on the couch at the Blood Donation Centre for the 100th time in 27 years.

Mr Grech, 47, of Naxxar, first set foot in the centre on July 20, 1983 with a group of friends from Mosta’s Jesus Oratory.

“I never thought twice about donating blood and thank God I have always been able to,” he says.

Asked what he would say to any undecided friend, Mr Grech insists: “There’s nothing to ponder on, just go!”

His only disappointment is that he cannot donate blood whenever there is an urgent call. Tony Micallef, staff nurse at the centre, says the personnel’s priority is the donors’ welfare, and if their health is in any way at risk, they will not be allowed to donate blood.

Around 50 bags, each containing 475ml of blood, are needed every day, while the average donation varies between 20 and 80 bags daily. Contrary to common belief, contributions diminish in the festive seasons.

Lost in a shopping frenzy, in search for that unique present to put under the Christmas tree, people tend to forget that they themselves are the owners of three invaluable gifts: red blood cells, plasma, and platelets. These priceless gifts are all contained within one bag of blood and cost nothing apart from a trip to the centre in St Luke’s Square, Gwardamangia, or at Gozo’s General Hospital.

Regular donors might also be fit to donate platelets and although the process for each platelet donation takes more than 90 minutes, 2010 saw an additional 200 donors, resulting in 550 contributions. Around two bags of platelets are needed every day and the demand is ever on the increase.

“We’ve reached such a desperate state that we’re phoning up donors on the same day the need arises,” Mr Micallef says.

“Fear is a common factor,” he continues. Leaning his head to one side, he says: “To fight back fear, one can come with a group of friends as Mr Grech did. Also, donors need to mentally visualise the end receiver.”

“Initially I was nervous, but as a regular donor, my contribution has become part of my everyday life,” Mr Grech confirms. Having just gotten off the couch, and making her way towards the centre’s cosy kitchenette, Tracy Pulis, another donor, blurts out: “I am always really scared, but the TV, which is always on, is a great distraction.”

Ms Pulis, 28, of Marsa, is on her fourth visit. She smiles as she recounts how a couple of days ago she was told to postpone her donation because she was not feeling well.

“I was quite disappointed so I grabbed the first opportunity I got, and came back as soon as I could. Thankfully, I was able to donate today.”

Although visibly scared of the needle, Ms Pulis is driven by the notion that blood transfusions are done daily.

“You never know. I might one day need help myself. I would like to find the same support. I am always trying to convince my colleagues, because where there is a will, there is a way,” she says.

Daniel Bonello of Sta Venera shares Ms Pulis’s view. “I just look anywhere but at my arm,” he says.

The 30-year-old started donating blood when he was a teenager, and never looked back. This is the first time he is giving platelets. “Knowing, deep down, that you have something which is crucial for other people’s survival is a good enough incentive for me.”

Lying down on a couch a few steps away is Silvio Borg, 39, of Attard who has been donating platelets for the past two years.

Having started off as a regular blood donor, he says: “I never realised that the demand was so high, until I came here for the first time 10 years ago with a group of work colleagues.”

He explains that he does not experience any difference between platelet and normal blood donation. The only difference lies in the time the process takes but there is always a nurse or attendant on call by the couch.

The centre is open daily, including weekends and public holidays between 8 a.m. and 6 p.m. Donors have to be aged between 17 and 67, and weigh more than 50 kilos.

www.blood.gov.mt