Thank you as National Blood Week smashes targets

A top worn by a member of NHS Blood and Transplant

The themed week, which ran from June 10, aimed to educate the public about blood donation and register 10,000 new blood donors nationally.

And thanks to an overwhelming response from the public, NHS Blood and Transplant managed to smash that target – and sign up almost 11,400 people, with 609 of those in Sussex and Surrey.

NHS Blood and Transplant spokesperson John Canning said: “We are delighted National Blood Week had such a strong response and we are very grateful for all the support we had from our donors and the public here in Sussex and Surrey which made it possible.

“It’s great that we were able to beat our national target and we hope that the those people who registered here in Sussex and Surrey will now go on to be regular donors, which will help us maintain a steady supply of blood, as it has a short shelf life. However, the task does not finish here. We constantly need new donors – and in particular younger donors - to replace the 200,000 people nationally wh

o have to retire from donating each year due to factors like poor health and certain medication, so I would urge people to keep coming forwards.

“Giving blood is easy, doesn’t take long to do and can help up to three people.”

During National Blood Week, which ran from June 10-16, NHS Blood and Transplant aimed to increase understanding of the uses of blood and the donation process to encourage those who have never given blood before, or who have not given for some time, to ‘Know Blood, Give Blood’ and help save lives.

Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7st 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 visit www.blood.co.uk or contact 0300 123 23 23.

WANT TO DONATE?

Forthcoming sessions include:

* Pagham: Tuesday, July 2 -

1.45pm-4.30pn and 5.30pm-8pm T at Pagham Village Hall, Pagham Road, Pagham PO21 4NJ

* Chichester: Friday, July 5 -

1.45pm-4.30pn and 5.30pm-8pm at The Venue, Revelation Centre, Spur Road, Chichester PO19 8PR

* Fontwell: Monday, July 22 -

1.45pm-4.30pn and 5.30pm-8pm at Fontwell Park Racecourse (The Concourse), Arundel Road, Fontwell, Arundel BN18 0SX

* Chichester: Friday, July 19 -

1.45pm-4.30pn and 5.30pm-8pm at The Venue, Revelation Centre, Spur Road, Chichester PO19 8PR