Around 250 people have donated blood over the past three days the National Blood Transfusion Centre told The Malta Independent yesterday.

The centre has made numerous appeals for blood donations, with the latest one being made earlier last week, as blood stocks at the blood bank remain low.

The National Blood Transfusion Centre has informed the newsroom that from Saturday 22nd December there has been a significant increase in people coming in to donate blood and that over 250 people had donated blood over the last three days.

A spokesperson said that, while the centre was quite busy over the past few days, it hoped that the numbers would increase further, especially during the festive period, when it is important for the Blood Bank to have a good reserve of all types of blood.

The service said last week that there are hundreds of patients being operated upon in hospitals in Malta and Gozo or receiving treatment for cancer who require blood transfusions. All types of blood are needed.

The Blood Donation Centre, just outside St Luke’s Hospital in Gwardamanġa, is open daily from 8am to 6pm, weekends included.

Those donating blood are asked to take with them their ID card, driving licence or Maltese passport.

Donors are asked to also encourage others to donate.

During the Milied Flimkien event last week, President Marie-Louise Coleiro Preca highlighted the importance of being altruistic and made an appeal for more blood and organ donations. Students from Santa Lucija secondary school spoke about the importance of organ donations, and the difference it can make to other individuals lives.