Blood donations are not enough to meet the demand as the island experiences winter’s harsh flu season, keeping donors away from the National Blood Transfusion Centre.
Blood supplies of the A and O type, but especially O positive, have dwindled and the need for 50 bags a day remains, with the centre appealing for donations over the past few days.
One of those who turned up last week, Brian Galea, started donating blood when his wife, Sharon, fell ill three years ago. Ms Galea needed several blood and platelet transfusions while receiving treatment for leukaemia.
A few days short of 40, Ms Galea needed to be hospitalised. Towards the end of each chemotherapy cycle she would receive a transfusion and, every time, she immediately felt “energised”, Ms Galea told the Times of Malta.
Recognising the significance of the transfusions for his wife’s well-being, Mr Galea set off to the centre to donate blood and he continued to do so ever since.
Nowadays, after being given the all clear, Ms Galea often accompanies him to the centre. Just last week, while her husband was donating blood, she had an “emotional” meeting with a platelets’ donor.
Blood donation is essential for operations, accidents and cancer treatment.
Tony Micallef, the practice nurse in charge of donor liaison, said colds kept donors at bay, especially if they consumed antibiotics. Those who make use of antibiotics could only return to the centre to donate blood four weeks after they complete the course.
The donation centre, situated adjacent to St Luke’s Hospital in Guardamanġia, is open from Monday to Sunday between 8am and 6pm. Donors can also go to the Gozo General Hospital’s outpatient department every other Sunday, from 8am to 1pm and every alternate Tuesday (February 13) from 1 to 5pm.
For updated information one can look up the National Blood Transfusion Service Malta on Facebook.
Donors should take their identity card, driving licence or Maltese passport with them. Those who wish to give blood and have returned from abroad over the past four weeks should call on 8007 4313 to check whether they are eligible.
Log on here for more information.