Percy Lane Oliver

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Percy Lane Oliver (1878–1944) was a British humanitarian and a pioneer in the field of blood transfusion. He is best known for establishing the world's first voluntary blood donor service.

Early Life

Percy Lane Oliver was born in 1878 in London, England. He was educated at Dulwich College and later worked as a clerk for the Camberwell Borough Council.

Career

In 1921, Oliver founded the British Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service in Camberwell, London. This service was the first of its kind to rely entirely on voluntary blood donors. Prior to this, blood transfusions were often performed using paid donors, which carried a higher risk of transfusion-transmitted infections.

Blood Transfusion Service

Oliver's service was revolutionary in that it created a registry of voluntary blood donors who could be called upon in emergencies. The service initially operated out of Oliver's home, where he and his wife would receive calls and dispatch donors to hospitals. The success of this model led to its adoption by other regions and eventually influenced the establishment of national blood transfusion services.

Legacy

Percy Lane Oliver's work laid the foundation for modern blood transfusion services. His emphasis on voluntary donation has become a standard practice worldwide, ensuring a safer and more reliable supply of blood for medical use.

Personal Life

Oliver was married and had children. He continued to work with the blood transfusion service until his death in 1944.

See Also

• Blood transfusion
• British Red Cross
• Transfusion medicine
• Voluntary blood donation