Give blood this summer (From Messenger Newspapers)

Help keep blood stocks healthy for the Olympics

12:35pm Monday 16th July 2012 in Urmston

ELIGIBLE donors are being urged to give blood ahead of this year’s Olympics.

Blood donations dropped by three per cent during the two weeks of Wimbledon and with the Olympic Games less than two weeks away, there are fears stocks could take another dip.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) want to avoid this happening and are urging people to give blood this summer to keep stocks health during and after the games.

Currently, 7,000 units of blood are needed each day to help save the lives of the sick and injured across England and North Wales.

Donated blood is not only used in emergency situations, but also for patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia.

Barbara Blanche, lead donor relations manager for NHSBT, said: “Blood has a limited shelf life of 35 days for red blood cells and just seven days for platelets. Because of this, it is vital that both existing and new blood donors come forward now, so we can ensure that vital supplies of blood are available for the patients that need them over the summer months.”

Anyone aged between 17 and 65, and weighing more than 50kg and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor.

*A blood donor session will take place at John Alker Memorial Hall, Flixton on Tuesday, August 28.

*A session will also take place at the Larkhill Centre, Timperley, on Friday, August 31.

*To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk