Too little, I think, is heard of the remarkable volume
of altruism represented by the London Blood Transfusion Service, a voluntary and unpaid organization of people who, after passing every kind of medical test, are prepared at any hour of the day or night to give to patients in extremis such quantity of blood as the doctor in attendance thinks necessary. Last year, I am told, some 8,000 calls were made on the service at an average cost of 6s. 6d. a case—representing, of course, merely the expenses of the volunteers, for they make it a point of honour to accept no personal remuneration. When it is considered that this service is rendered to someone completely unknown, on the sole basis of his (or her) need, it reveals a spirit of self-sacrifice that deserves to rank high among our national assets.
* *
Previous page
