Give the most priceless gift you can this Christmas

PEOPLE across Merseyside are being urged to show some festive spirit by giving blood this December.  As the Christmas holidays approach and people find themselves busy preparing for the festive break, it's easy to forget that appointment in the diary to donate blood.

As a result, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is asking people to think of hospital patients who need blood transfusions during the festive period just as much as at any other time of the year.

While many people will soon be taking time out to celebrate with friends and family, others will spend December receiving cancer treatment or undergoing life-saving surgery and emergency care, so NHSBT is calling on people in Merseyside to make a date to donate now.

This winter also sees NHSBT aiming to recruit 100,000 new donors in 100 days to protect future blood stocks. Every year new donors are needed to replace existing donors who drop out of the system but this year, the need is more urgent after a dramatic decline in the number of younger donors signing up.

NHSBT lead donor relations manager Barbara Blanche said:- "While we appreciate people are often very busy shopping for presents and planning get-togethers at this time of the year, donated blood is needed just as much as ever in December - January.

As a result, we are appealing for people here in Merseyside to show warm hearts by taking just a little time out to give blood this Christmas. We are particularly keen for younger people and those who haven't given blood before to get in touch so that they can become the lifesavers of the future."

Those wanting to show some festive spirit by rolling up their sleeves can do, at one of the following donor sessions:

BLOOD DONOR SESSIONS TO BE
HELD DURING DECEMBER 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 04.12.12
All Hallow's Church Hall
1 Greenhill Road
ALLERTON
2.00pm to 4.00pm & 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Wednesday 05.12.12
The Foundry
65 Lugsdale Road
WIDNES
1.30pm to 3.30pm & 5.00pm to 7.00pm

Thursday 06.12.12
Fleetwood Hesketh Social Club
Fylde Road
CHURCHTOWN
2.00pm to 4.00pm & 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Friday 07.12.12
Leisure Centre
Cherryfield Drive
KIRKBY
2.00pm to 4.00pm & 5.30pm to 7.30pm

Saturday 08.12.12
Civic Centre
Civic Way
BEBINGTON
10.00am to 12.00pm & 2.00pm to 4.15pm

Monday 10.12.12
Wesley Methodist Church Hall
Corporation Street
ST HELENS
2.00pm to 4.00pm & 5.30pm to 7.30pm