With thousands of patients receiving blood transfusions every year, NHS Blood and Transplant is challenging the people of Bristol to make a date to donate and sign up to save lives at Bristol Donor Centre in Southmead.
Donated blood is vital for a wide variety of life-saving procedures in local hospitals including Southmead Hospital. Patients undergoing major surgery and emergency treatment often require blood transfusions, but perhaps less well-known is the fact that blood is essential to the treatment for many different types of cancer and blood disorders.
Geraldine Parker, NHS Blood and Transplant’s local Lead Donor Relations Manager, said:
“Every time someone donates a unit of blood, their donation saves or improves the lives of up to three people. Blood donations are precious.”
“In 2013, there were more than 3,000 regular blood donors at Bristol Donor Centre who helped to save thousands of lives and who we cannot thank enough. Unfortunately, a number of these donors may no longer be able to donate in the future due to health or other reasons so we need people like you to come forward and help ensure patients always get the blood they need.”
New and existing donors can view upcoming blood donation dates on our website www.blood.co.uk. Recent improvements also mean people can also book and amend appointments online.
In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.
To find out more about donating blood or to book an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
You can also join the NHS British Bone Marrow Registry at the same time, just inform your nurse at the start of the session, they’ll take an extra sample for typing, all being well you’ll be on the register!