Preparations are well underway as the St Joseph Band Club in collaboration with the Malta Red Cross Gozo and the Malta National Blood Transfusion will be holding the ‘Ghajnsielem blood drive’ next Saturday the 31st of May. The marathon will start at 8.30am and continue till 2pm.

The organisers said that after three weeks of intensive advertising, the response to their appeal has been very encouraging.

On the day, the band club will literally be turned into a blood donation centre and to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the St Joseph Band Club, several bandsmen and club members will be donating blood.

The blood drive is also open to the public, and the organisers are urging all potential donors to participate in this event. For more information please call or SMS Kevin Cauchi on 99459426.

It is worth noting that the Blood Donation Services have recently made an urgent appeal for groups A and O since reserves are low and surgical operations risk being postponed.

Anyone wishing to donate must meet the following criteria:

Be in generally good health and feeling well, be at least 18 years of age (17 with parents consent).

Females can donate every four months, males can donate every three months.

Weight must be a minimum of 50kg and NO alcohol must be consumed for at least 12 hours prior to donating.

Any body piercing or tattooing must be at least one-year old. Persons with ear-piercing may donate if the piercing was performed in a doctor’s office otherwise the piercing must be at least one-year old.

Donors are also required to produce their ID cards,

Remember… by dedicating a few minutes of your time you can save three lives!