Back to school and back to session

IN September, as the summer holiday, s end, children head back to school and people return to work. NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in Merseyside to make sure giving blood is part of their routine.

Blood is always required with hospitals in England and North Wales needing around 7,000 units of blood every day,  to treat patients for a range of reasons. It is used in accidents and emergencies but also during surgery and treatment for cancer and blood diseases, like leukaemia. Please book your appointment now and get the date in your diary to help others.

It is important that vital blood stocks are maintained at all times, as red blood cells have a shelf life of just 35 day, s and platelets a shelf life of only seven day, s. NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect enough blood in the right quantities to meet patient needs and regular donors are crucial in enabling us to do so.

Barbara Blanche, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHSBT, said:- "It is time to go back to school and work and it would be great to see people heading back to blood donor sessions as part of their normal routine.  We are grateful to all those donors who gave blood over the summer. We appreciate not everybody was able to do so, as they may have been busy enjoying the weather, been away on holiday,  or given blood too recently to donate again. If you can, please book your next appointment now. New donors are always welcome. The more people who register and donate, the easier it is for us to tailor our sessions, so we collect just what's needed. For example, if stocks of a particular blood group are falling, we have more people with that group who we can call on to donate. Now is as good a time as any to get your first appointment in your diaries."

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 two years. For more information or 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 SEPTEMBER 2013

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

Monday, /Thursday, /Friday, /Alternate Saturday, s: 8.20am until 3.30pm - Tuesday, /Wednesday, :- 12.20pm until 7.30pm

Friday,  06 September 13
Civic Centre
Civic Way
BEBINGTON
2.00pm to 4.00pm also from  5.30pm to 7.30pm

Monday,  09 September 13
Royal British Legion
Lord Street
BURSCOUGH
2.00pm to 4.00pm also from  5.30pm to 7.30pm

Tuesday,  10 September 13
Everton Football Club
Goodison Road
WALTON
2.00pm to 4.00pm also from  5.30pm to 7.30pm

Wednesday,  11 September 13
Lauries Community Centre
142 Claughton Road
BIRKENHEAD
2.00pm to 4.00pm also from  5.30pm to 7.30pm