The turnout of regular blood donors remains low, even as the need for blood has increased and affects all blood types, according to the Director of the Blood Center, Androula Panagiotou. Speaking on the Alpha News program, she issued a new appeal to the public to donate blood, noting that the need is daily and ongoing.
Ms. Panagiotou first thanked those who responded to the appeal for Type O-negative blood to help a child battling leukemia. As she noted, the public response was overwhelming, and this specific need has been met for the time being. “The child has enough blood for transfusions for the time being,” he said, while also calling on donors of other blood types to come forward and donate.
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The need, however, remains particularly high. “We need 450 units every day. So you can understand that without people coming in, it’s impossible for us to meet the demand,” emphasized the Head of the Blood Center. As she explained, there has recently been a decline in the number of regular donors, which has led to a drop in available blood supplies.
According to her, the decline became particularly noticeable after the Feast of the Assumption and in early September. Vacations, the return to daily life, and various reasons that might temporarily prevent someone from donating blood all affected the flow of donors. “Turnout was down, and our supplies have dropped,” he noted.
At this time, there is a need for all blood types, as significant quantities are required for major surgeries as well as for patients who need regular transfusions. “There are patients with thalassemia, other chronically ill patients, people with leukemia, and those with cancer. Unfortunately, it’s not just the little child with leukemia,” Ms. Panagiotou emphasized, reiterating her appeal to those who are able to donate blood.
