Bermuda’s dwindling blood stocks have been given a much-needed boost after 20 new donors responded to a plea from medics.

The Royal Gazette reported yesterday how numbers of donors on the Island had plummeted by 50 percent after a ruling which prevents thousands of people from donating. It meant doctors feared supplies were so low King Edward VII Memorial Hospital would have struggled to cope with a major road accident.

Doctors last night said they were delighted with the response to their appeal so far — but stressed there was still a need for more.

“We have about 20 new donors who have appointments booked,” said Dr. Betsie Lombard of the hospital’s blood transfusion service.

“We are extremely grateful for the response and hope people continue to call so that we can build a solid donor base to meet our community’s needs going forward.”

The ruling which has hit Bermuda was introduced by the American Association of Blood Banks (AABB) around ten years ago amid fears over Creutzfeldt-Jacob Disease (CJD).

It states anyone who has spent more than six months in the UK or Europe in the period 1980 to 1996 cannot give blood. This eliminates thousands of expats from the donor pool, as well as Bermudians who have spent lengthy time studying or working abroad.