Brave the weather to save a life this Autumn

WITH the weather getting colder and the days getting shorter, many people will be spending more time at home this season following a summer of sport and Jubilee celebrations.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is urging people to brave the cold and the dark to give blood this month. With an ever constant demand for blood stocks, donors in Merseyside are being reminded that it only takes an hour to save a life and new donors are being urged to come along too.

There are many ways that donated blood can save the lives of the sick and injured. Donated blood is used not only in accident and emergency situations, but also for patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia.

NHSBT is continuing to supply hospitals with all the blood that they need. However, both red cells and platelets have a limited shelf-life (35 days for red cells and 7 days for platelets) and stocks are usually turned over within a few days. It’s vital they are replenished, to replace the blood being sent to hospitals on a daily basis.

Barbara Blanche, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHSBT, said:- “We know that the drop in temperature, the end of summer and the beginning of a new school term has meant that many of our donors have had to change their routines. Now that people are back to their normal schedules, we would like to remind donors and those that are thinking of donating for the first time, about the constant demand for blood and inform them that now is a great time to prepare for the upcoming winter months.”

Anyone aged between 17 to 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 2 years. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on:- 0300 123 23 23 or visit:- blood.co.uk.

BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS TO BE
HELD DURING OCTOBER 2012

Liverpool Donor Centre
Unit 6, 2 Moorfields
(Entrance on Dale Street)
Liverpool

Monday/Thursday/Friday/Alternate Saturdays: 8.20am until 3.30pm
Tuesday/Wednesday: 12.20pm until 7.30pm

Tuesday 02.10.12
Village Hall
Dane Court
RAINHILL
2.00pm-4.00pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm

Wednesday 03.10.12
Victory Hall
Salacre Lane
UPTON
1.30pm-3.30pm & 5.00pm-7.00pm

Thursday 04.10.12
Sports & Social Club
Charnock Road
CULCHETH
2.00pm-4.00pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm

Friday 05.10.12
Everton Football Club
Goodison Road
WALTON
2.00pm-4.00pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm

Monday 08.10.12
Wesley Methodist Church Hall
Corporation Street
ST HELENS
2.00pm-4.00pm & 5.30pm-7.30pm