Urgent appeal on behalf of Welsh Blood Service

The Welsh Blood Service is making an urgent appeal for blood donors particularly with type O & A negative blood to come forward and make a lifesaving donation.
The recent hot weather has affected the number of donors coming forward, seriously reducing blood stocks.
Giving blood is vital to ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia, continue to receive the transfusions they need.
The Welsh Blood Service cannot meet the needs of hospitals without the support of the people in Wales.
At this difficult time, they need support more than ever.
Dr Geoff Poole at the Welsh Blood Service added “Our blood stocks are at a seriously low level and we are making an urgent appeal for fit and healthy donors and those donors who have not donated for a while to come forward and help, particularly those with O & A negative blood groups.
"O negative blood is vital in an emergency situation when there may not be time for an immediate blood grouping test to be carried out. Whilst every donation is important, O negative blood can be safely given to patients with a different blood group. "
To increase their blood stocks the Welsh Blood Service is holding two special blood donation clinics at the Headquarters in Talbot Green, just off M4, junction 34, on WEDNESDAY 17th & THURSDAY 18TH JULY.
Please call 0800 252266 for an appointment or visit www.welshblood.org.uk

THE WELSH BLOOD SERVICE – FACT SHEET
• The Welsh Blood Service supplies blood to all 16 hospitals in South, West and Mid Wales.
• We supply over 2,000 units to these hospitals every week – that’s over 8,000 units a month or around 100,000 units each year.
• Anyone aged between 17 and 66, who weighs over 50 kg (7st 12lb) can become a blood donor.
• There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.
• The blood we collect is not just used for accidents and emergencies – cancer and leukaemia patients need regular transfusions.
• Whole blood has a shelf life of 35 days.
• Platelets have a shelf life of 5 days.
• All blood donations are tested for: HIV (the aids virus); Hepatitis B; Hepatitis C; HTLV (Human T Lymphotropic Virus) and Syphilis.
• There are four blood groups – A, AB, B and O each of which will be either Rhesus Negative or Rhesus Positive.
• O Positive is the most common blood group.
• O Negative can be used for anyone, regardless of their own group.
• One blood donation can save up to three lives.
• Only 6% of the eligible population give blood.
• There are over 140,000 blood donors in Wales.
• The Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry is part of the Welsh Blood Service.

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