By Kevin Scott, Staff Reporter
Published: May 14, 2009, 08:07

Dubai: The power of social networking in the UAE was highlighted this week when hundreds of residents responded to a new mother in need of a blood transfusion.
Kristy Anson, a 34-year-old Australian, delivered a baby by Caesarean section on Saturday morning at the American Hospital Dubai.
However, during the operation, her haemoglobin levels dropped below normal and she needed a transfusion of O negative blood.
There was only one unit of her blood type in stock at the hospital. Thus, doctors issued a request for further supplies from Al Wasl and Sharjah, but to no avail.
Kristy’s husband George Anson, a pilot with Emirates, grew increasingly concerned and decided to text his neighbour with an appeal for help, who in turn forwarded the message to as many people as possible.
The message soon appeared on numerous internet forums and spread on social networking websites,
including Facebook and Twitter.

Within hours, hundreds of people had pledged their support offering to donate blood for the cause. In the end, their help was not required as sufficient supplies arrived from the Abu Dhabi Blood Bank on Monday evening.

George, a 49-year-old of Greek-British descent, said: “The process of giving blood in the UAE should be simplified and hospitals should have a database of people they can contact in emergencies such as this. However, I am really touched by the response to my plea for help. I have literally had hundreds of phone calls over the last few days; it really is very moving and proves there are a lot of kind people out there. I have even had messages from as far afield as Sydney.

“It is only really when something like this happens to a loved one that you begin to realise just how important donating blood really is. The public need to be educated through the media and awareness campaigns because if people know exactly what is involved in giving blood they are more likely to actually do it.”

The collection of blood in the UAE is organised through the Ministry of Health and overseen by Dr Ameen Al Amiri, Chief Executive of Medical Practice and Licensing at the Ministry.
Dr Aaron Han, Chief of the Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine at the American Hospital, Dubai, said: “The UAE has one of the safest systems in the world for donating blood but a safe blood supply also depends on a large population of volunteer donors.

“We always have stockpiles of blood available here at the American Hospital Dubai but sometimes we have to ask for further supplies from government blood banks. There are often seasonal shortages of blood, especially in the summer when a lot of people go travelling. The bottom line is we always need more blood donors. One way of doing this is by raising awareness and letting people know that it is a very safe thing to do.”

George, Kristy and their new born son Athan are doing well.
The American Hospital said in a statement: “The patient required a blood transfusion post Caesarean section. The hospital laboratory supervisor followed all appropriate procedures as per policy and UAE regulations to obtain the required blood. The patient received the required blood transfusions with unanticipated delay and no untoward result.”

Have you tried donating blood but were not allowed to? What was the reason? Have you or anyone you know suffered any problems due to shortage at blood banks? Do you think social networking sites a good platform for raising awareness?