Health and Welfare

A year after the Second World War, when the armed forces were returning home, New Zealand's Health stamps of 1946 were heavily symbolic showing a soldier lifting a child over a fence to a golden future, as one of the campaigns slogans of the time goes "on the road to happiness and health".  The stamp artist was James Berry a regular designer of the Health Stamps.

 New Zealand's Health Stamps first appeared in 1929, inspired by Denmark's Christmas Seals issued to raise money for charity; in New Zealand the charity chosen was the Children's Health Camps.   These camps were for children with nutritional or minor physical problems and during the depression years of the 20th Century giving holiday relief for families.  They have helped thousands of children over the years and are one of New Zealand's longest running social services, although the organisation has now changed its name to Stand Children's Service but still with the same remit to help vulnerable children.  Health stamps are still issued and in 2015 their message was about being careful not to get sunburnt -  'Being Sun Smart'  

The Health Stamps do not raise as much money as they did in the past (peaking in 1996 at $158,000) however going back in time the subject matter of the next two stamp set was chosen because of the popularity of the previous issues featuring the then Princess Elizabeth  

and so in 1944 the issue showed the two royal sisters, Elizabeth in the uniform of a Sea Ranger and Margaret as a Girl Guide (they would be aged 18 and 14 at this time). The photograph was by Dorothy Wilding (whose Queen Elizabeth portrait featured on GB's definitive stamps from 1952-1971).  The decoration is the unofficial national flower of New Zealand which grows on the native Kowhai tree.

Here is a service that relies on volunteers , blood donation 

1965: Campaign for Blood Doners

and in Japan, unlike the UK when you get a biscuit and a cup of tea after your gift of blood, in Japan you get a drink of your choice from a vending machine before you donate.  

1986: Blood Doner Campaign

The stamp on the right shows a blood doner session under the rather heavy postmark and on the left where "blood saves lives", an operation is in progress.

and next an ambulance man and accident victim.  I think the car's a write-off, although thanks to blood donation I read into the story, not the victim.

An entry to Sunday Stamps II theme - Health and Welfare - for a healthy option  See It On A Postcard