Waiouru blood donor numbers disappoint

Ruapehu Bulletin, Volume 11, Issue 509, 26 October 1993, Page 5

Waiouru blood donor numbers disappoint

by

Jenelle

Frewen

After some effort was made to publicize their coming, the Manawata Regional Blood Services (MRBS) team was disappointed by the number of donors who made it through the hospital doors last Wednesday and Thursday in Waiouru. While very grateful to the 121 people who did attend the collection over the two days, services co-ordinator Debra Buchanan was surprised at the low numbers and now says that such a let-down might see the mobile team having to go as far as the Bay of Plenty to find more donors. The team had expected at least 200 Waiouru people and had staffed accordingly. High costs and lack of funds will now necessitate a serious review of whether travelling to Waiouru isviable, especially compared to other regions, said Mrs Buchanan. MRBS representatives

believed that Waiouru would be an ideal place for the mobile team to visit, with a base of around 3000 people in the area who could possibly donate. Instead less than 5 per cent of that figure

actually donated with the majority of the group being military or civilian women. The Regional Blood Centre in Palmerston North provides blood for the entire region including as far

afield as Napier and Wanganui, as \vell as Waiouru itself and with Christmas coming and some patients in Palmerston North requiring six donated units of blood per day, an

ever-expanding donor base is essential. Those wishing to donate, especially from the 0+ blood group, should contact Palmerston North Hospital for more information.