Call to Horsham district residents - give blood and help save lives

NHS Blood and Transplant is reminding people in the Horsham district that blood donation also takes around an hour, so why not use it to help save a life this autumn instead?

Although overall blood use within the NHS has reduced thanks to improvements in clinical and surgical practices, hospitals and patients still rely on more than 7,000 people attending a donation session every day across England and North Wales.

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

A Spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We would love to see people in your area using their extra hour to donate blood. As the weather gets colder there is an increase in people who can’t donate due to colds and flu so we really do need every one who can donate to make the effort to do so. By spending your hour with us you are helping to ensure that patients are able to get the blood they need. So if you are thinking about donating for the first time or you are an existing donor who hasn’t been for a while then please book an appointment to give blood.”

Blood is required to treat patients for a whole range of reasons. It is used in accidents and emergency situations, during surgery and in maternity and neonatal care when either mum or baby need blood. It is also used as a treatment for cancer and for blood disorders, such as sickle cell anaemia.

You can register as a donor, find out whether there’s a session coming up in your area and book an appointment to donate whenever and wherever you are through www.blood.co.uk or by using our app on your Android, Windows or Apple device. To download an app for your device, search ‘NHSGiveBlood’ in the app store.

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.

The next session in Horsham will be:

Southwater Lesiure Centre (main hall), Pevensey Road - Monday November 3 1.45pm - 4.30pm; 5.30pm - 8pm

Horsham YMCA Football Club, Gorings Mead - Wednesday December 3 - 1.45pm - 4.30pm; 5.30pm - 8pm