An inspirational woman has given her 100th blood donation this week – her latest achievement in a lifetime of helping others.
Doris Mallia, 67, from Qormi, reached the exceptional milestone after first rolling up her sleeves as a 26-year-old.
Considering the restrictions on women to donate, this is an unusual event.
“It gives me great satisfaction,” the grandmother-of-three said.
“Anyone might need blood one day. My own husband required four blood transfusions.
“Blood donations are of particular importance during the festive season since, unfortunately, the number of accidents soars.”
Along with the veteran donor, a group of 17-year-olds assembled at the National Blood Transfusion Service in Guardamangia for their very first blood donation.
The teenagers, students at the Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology, were accompanied by their lecturers who organised the trip as part of their Christmas programme.
Voluntary donation is currently the main source of the blood and blood derivatives necessary in numerous settings in healthcare.
“People sometimes forget that blood is not some type of medicine but comes directly from others,” staff nurse Tony Micallef said, gesturing towards a number of ‘thank you’ cards lining the window ledges.
“The number of cards is not as abundant as one would expect it to be.”
This year, around 4,000 patients benefited from blood donations, with each patient receiving an average of four-and-a-half blood bags.
Blood transfusions have become common practice due to specialised cancer treatments, as well as the increased incidence of surgery and accidents.
Healthy individuals aged 18 and over (or 17 with a guardian’s consent) are eligible to give blood. Men may donate up to four times a year while the women’s maximum is three times. Body weight must be at least 50kg.
The most required blood groups are O positive and A positive.
“Our stocks are fine at the moment but we might need more blood donations, especially in view of the increased number of accidents that occur during this particular period,” Mr Micallef said.
“A blood owner should be a blood donor.”