The National Blood Transfusion Service works hard all year round to keep national blood supplies readily available for any medical situation. To highlight the importance of blood donations, the organisation yesterday shared a simple yet highly powerful video on social media featuring a young Maltese couple who relied on the services offered in a time of great need. 

In the video, which has been shared over 400 times on Facebook so far, young Maltese couple Krista and Josef Mizzi share a harrowing experience that saw them rely on the donations offered to the National Blood Transfusion Service to overcome a serious health scare. “A year and a half after getting married, I fell ill with Lymphoma,” Josef says.

Lymphoma is a cancer that begins in the lymphocytes, the infection-fighting cells of the immune system, which makes them change and grow out of control as the illness takes over. “It was a pretty difficult time for my wife and I,” Josef recalls as he explains that he needed a lot of chemotherapy, blood transfusions and platelets to get through this setback. “Thanks to all of this, I’m now on the road to recovery,” he reveals. 

Josef’s wife, Krista, extends her gratitude to blood donors: “Dear donors, thanks to the blood you gave to my husband, we are now able to visualise a future together,” she says, as the couple shares a warm and loving embrace.  

The National Blood Transfusion Service is currently looking for Type O positive blood donors to contribute to their supplies. If you or anyone in your immediate circle fit this criteria, you might want to consider popping in to make a donation. The service, found on Guardamangia Hill, Pieta, is available everyday between 8am and 6pm, including Public Holidays. 

Christmas may be over, but the spirit of giving extends beyond the season!