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Oulu Red Cross Calls for Blood Donors |
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By Virpi Hattukangas
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Sunday, 16 March 2008 |
Blood supplies in Oulu have been depleted to a dangerously low level in recent weeks. The Blood Service is pleading for donors to come in now. The low supply is due to the flu season that has been around for a few weeks.
Hilkka Sarvela of the Oulu Blood Service says that the blood groups A and O especially are in short supply but that any blood type is most welcome. The most typical blood group A Rh-positive is in demand nationwide with about 1000 bag shortage. Sarvela hopes to get at least 440 bags of blood a week to remedy the deficit of the past few weeks. One bag of half a litre of blood helps 2-3 people. The Blood Service has managed to keep up hospital supplies so far. Oulu supplies not only Oulu University Hospital but also hospitals in Kemi, Rovaniemi and Kainuu. The usual donors have been called in but they haven’t responded to the situation in as many numbers as was hoped. Sarvela suspects that flu and the recent winter holidays have contributed to this. Flu patients need to be clear of flu for two full weeks before donating blood again. Sarvela wanted to remind potential donors that the Blood Service is closed over the Easter weekend but is open again on Monday 24th March from 11.00am to 4.00pm. The office is located on Isokatu 32 and normally open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Thursdays between 11.00am and 4.00pm, and on Tuesdays and Fridays between 10.00am and 4.00pm. Donors require a Finnish photo ID.
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