Letters - 19 April 2013
From blood and flesh to loneliness
Blood and flesh
I thoroughly endorse Michael Wright’s advocacy for blood and organ donation (12 April), and am disappointed and puzzled by the apparent reluctance of Friends House to respond to the NHS’s current appeal. Although the number of donated organs has recently increased, shortages remain and suffering continues. Many donors practice some form of religion but more do not – unremunerated altruism is not limited to those ‘of faith’.
Any blood, organs or tissues that patients receive must have the lowest possible risk of transmitting disease. The rigorous donor selection criteria are based on evidence and epidemiology, but clinical examination is not comprehensive and blood tests are limited in what they cover; so donors must be honest. No-one should donate to ‘get a free health check’, especially if they have concerns about their health.
Blood collection facilities must accord to high standards for donor safety but also allow a reasonably fast donor turnaround. Many Quaker Meeting houses, including my own, would not reach these standards. As donor/staff confidentiality must be preserved, interviews must not be overheard and no third parties, family members or even interpreters should be present.
We applaud Michael’s donation record and sincerely thank him and all donors. For fit Friends there is no excuse for not trying – even the widely peddled ‘jaundice as a baby’!
Frank Boulton
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