The GHA are marking World Blood Donor Day on Friday 12th June with an awareness event at St Bernard’s Hospital, featuring a donor appreciation wall where members of the public can leave messages of thanks to blood donors.

A statement from the GHA follows below:

Gibraltar Health Authority will be commemorating annual World Blood Donor Day on Friday 12th June, to create awareness about the importance of voluntary blood donations to the daily clinical activities of a hospital. 

In conjunction with this, the GHA Phlebotomy Department will also be thanking all donors in the community who have been contributing to the blood bank over many years. 

Elaine Francis, Nurse Practitioner (Phlebotomy/Transfusion) will be leading a team of nurses staffing a promotional stall at the entrance to St Bernard’s Hospital on the day, answering questions from the public and providing information about blood donations. 

“We wanted to do something special this year to recognise the incredible commitment of individual blood donors and encourage more people to consider donating.” 

A blood donor appreciation ‘wall’ will also be installed where members of the public, patients and staff members will be given the opportunity to place anonymous messages of thanks on a notice board, share gratitude, personal stories and also express what a blood donation has meant for them. 

The movable display ‘wall’ will then be relocated to the blood donation department so that donors can see the appreciation from those who have benefitted from their altruistic gestures. 

There are currently 1,800 persons on the GHA active donors register, including individuals in their sixties who started donating at the age of 18. The current age limit for donations is between 17 and 66 for first time donors, and up to 72 for returning donors. 

In common with all hospitals across the world, regular blood stocks are always in need as blood has a limited shelf life. Community participation is essential to maintain a safe and reliable blood supply, a priceless asset in a clinical setting for a multitude of medical interventions on a daily basis. All blood donations are rigorously screened. 

For further information or queries contact [email protected] 

GHA Director General Dr Paul Bosio said: “World Blood Donor Day is celebrated globally on June 14 every year to raise awareness about the urgent need for safe blood supplies, and to thank the hundreds of local voluntary donors for their life saving contributions to the health service. We place a great deal of emphasis on safe blood donation and donor awareness on a day such as this, and are keen to communicate these positive messages to the wider community.”

Minister for Health and Care, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez MP, said: “Blood donors are among the quiet heroes of our health service. Their generosity helps save lives and can support patients through surgery, childbirth, cancer treatment, emergencies and many other clinical situations. 

“This appreciation wall is a simple but meaningful way for our community to say thank you. It will show donors that their selfless acts are seen and appreciated. Having donated blood myself, and having a son who received numerous blood transfusions, I thank every person who gives blood in Gibraltar, including those who have donated for decades, and encourage anyone who is able to donate to consider coming forward. One donation can make a real and lasting difference.”