Competition to Save Lives

ALREADY this summer blood stock levels have reduced due to the effect of the extra public holidays and the recent weather, both good and bad.

On top of this the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) now faces some very serious competition in its effort to save lives.

Each summer attendances at blood donation sessions can drop as people go on holidays or enjoy the good weather. However, this summer the problem is magnified as NIBTS competes for people’s attention due to the Olympics, European Football Finals, and Wimbledon.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

There are some great events to watch on television, listen to on the radio – or maybe be there in person. So it is all the more reason for donors to be at the blood donation events, as the need for blood will remain throughout the summer for the 500 patients who need blood each and every week.

NIBTS will have their donation teams out right through the summer, so please support these life-saving teams. A fall in support at blood donation sessions could be very serious.

If you know someone who has had cancer, given birth, been involved in an accident or had surgery, then the chances are you will know someone who has received blood. The Service has organised a Special Donor Week June 18-22 to launch this year’s appeal for new donors; the theme is, “Competition to Save Lives’.

During the week, blood donation sessions will be held in towns right across the province and it is hoped many new donors will attend the most important events this summer.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

A spokesman for the Service, Paul McElkerney said: “Donating blood at any time of the year is important but during the summer or other holiday periods it becomes even more vital. When you give blood, the real winners will be the patients whose lives you will save.”

Anyone wishing to attend one of these lifesaving special events should call 0500 534 666, visit www.nibts.org or to enrol Text Blood to 60081.

Related topics: