Spring into summer by giving the gift of life - NHS Blood and Transplant

What ever the season our thoughts turn to the outdoors and keeping fit and healthy for spring, summer, autumn or winter the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is asking people to think of others less fortunate, such as those that need life saving blood transfusions.

Volunteer blood donors are needed every day to provide the vital blood and platelet donations needed by patients. Demand for platelets has risen over the last few years and with crucial supplies only having a five day shelf-life, NHSBT is keen to increase the number of regular platelet donors.

Blood Donation – Your Stories

National Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) are keen to hear your experiences of blood donation for their upcoming Spring campaign in 2012, to increase the numbers of donors in Chandlers Ford and Eastleigh.

Do you give blood? If so, what prompted you to donate and if you are a regular donor, why have you continued?

Have you ever been in a situation where you or your family needed to receive blood?

Let us know your story.

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Platelets are very small cells in the blood which help to stem blood loss by enabling clotting. Platelet transfusions are given to patients, often the sickest and most vulnerable, whose bone marrow is not working properly. These include cancer or leukemia sufferers undergoing chemotherapy.

Jonathan Sewell, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHSBT said: “If you’ve never donated, now is the time to start. Donating blood is virtually painless and the whole process takes around an hour. A simple blood test will reveal if you are suitable for platelet donation and even if you have never donated blood before you could still be eligible to donate platelets. As platelets have a short shelf life and there are two bank holidays in May, we are asking people to come forward now.”

First time donors should be aged between 17-65, weighing at least 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health. If you’ve donated before, you can start again up to your 70th birthday and there is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

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

• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is a Special Health Authority in the NHS. It is the organ donor organisation for the UK and is responsible for matching and allocating donated organs. Its remit also includes the provision of a reliable, efficient supply of blood and associated services to the NHS

• NHSBT’s donor line - 0300 123 23 23 - is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week with all calls charged at the standard local rate, even from mobile phones

• The NBS collects approximately two million units of blood each year from 1.4 million blood donors

• The NHS needs 7,000 voluntary donations of blood daily

• Only four per cent of the eligible population are active blood donors

• A unit of blood is measured as 470mls (or just under a pint)

• Whole blood donors can give every 16 weeks, that’s three times per year

• There are four main blood groups – O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand. Over 95% of the blood collected is processed into its main components – red cells, platelets and plasma. A regular supply of blood is vital – red cells last 35 days and platelets only 5 days.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) - Chandlers Ford Community Website