Tuesday, 13 December 2011

Christmas Blood Donor Session

People across Amber Valley are being urged to show some festive spirit by giving blood this December. As the Christmas holidays approach and many people are busy preparing for the festive break by shopping and celebrating with family and friends, it's easy to forget that appointment in the diary to donate blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is asking people to think of hospital patients who rely on vital blood transfusions during December - those receiving life-saving cancer treatments, surgery and emergency care which continues in hospitals every day of the year.

In addition to the challenges that Christmas can bring, if last year's wintry weather repeats itself, blood donations could fall by as much as 20% over the festive season.

Holly Mason, NHSBT's lead donor relations manager, said: "The arctic conditions across the East Midlands last winter presented severe challenges for the blood supply, yet blood donors made heroic efforts to reach donation sessions. We are now calling on our regular donors to show warm hearts by helping to save lives and making a date to donate this Christmas."

The Next Session is at Ripley Junior School on Saturday 24th of December at the following times 10:20 - 14:20

Not many appointments have been booked for these sessions.

Most People aged between 17 and 65 can donate for the first time, If you can donate up to the age of 70 if you have donated successfully in the past.

The National Blood Service relies heavily on the goodwill of the community to support blood donor sessions in many ways. Your help will be invaluable in supporting the National Blood Service to supply hospitals with 8,000 units of blood every day.

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