In September, as the summer holidays end, children head back to school and people return to work. NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in the local area to make sure giving blood is part of their routine.
Blood is always required with hospitals in England and North Wales needing around 7,000 units of blood every day to treat patients for a range of reasons. It is used in accidents and emergencies but also during surgery and treatment for cancer and blood diseases, like leukaemia. Please book your appointment now and get the date in your diary to help others.
It is important that vital blood stocks are maintained at all times, as red blood cells have a shelf life of just 35 days and platelets a shelf life of only 7 days. NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect enough blood in the right quantities to meet patient needs and regular donors are crucial. Donna Batty,
Lead Donor Relations Manager said: “It would be great to see people heading back to blood donor sessions as part of their normal routine. “We are grateful to those donors who gave blood over the summer. We appreciate not everybody was able to do so, as they may have been busy enjoying the weather, been away on holiday or given blood too recently to donate again. If you can, please book your next appointment now.
“New donors are always welcome. The more people who register and donate, the easier it is for us to tailor our sessions, so we collect just what’s needed.
For example, if stocks of a particular blood group are falling, we have more people with that group who we can call on to donate. Now is as good a time as any to get your first appointment in your diaries.”
Anyone aged between 17 – 65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. For more information or to book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
A Blood Donor Session will be held on 23rd September at the Community Centre, St. Elizabeth’s Close, Woodham Village from 2.30pm to 4pm and 4.45 to 7 pm