Donors told bring a ‘blood-buddy’

OLDHAMERS are being urged to give blood now to save lives this winter — and have been told to bring along a relative, friend and colleague too.

The dip in winter donations is expected to be greater this year due to a combination of seasonal and swine flu.

Individuals can’t give blood when they have flu, so the NHS needs to build up stocks now.

Using the message: “Don’t wait to donate — and bring your mate”, the NHS is urging regular donors to recruit a friend and encouraging first-time donors to take a “blood-buddy” with them for support. The campaign spans across England and North Wales. The need for blood donors is constant, with 7,000 donations required each day to supply hospitals.

In the North-West alone, 5,179 units of blood are used by hospitals every week.

Celebrities, including Channel 5 newsreader Natasha Kaplinsky, sports clubs and businesses are supporting the campaign.

Lynda Hamlyn, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We hope ‘buddying up’ will encourage more people to give blood and spread the word.

“There’s always a dip in donations over summer and people can’t give blood when they’ve got flu, so we need people to donate now.

“If you’ve always intended to give blood but never got around to it, please come along this summer.”

Anyone who would like to donate should call 0300-123 23 23 or log on to to www.blood.co.uk to make an appointment.

The next blood donor sessions in Oldham are held at the Queen Elizabeth Hall tomorrow between 1.30-3.30pm and 5.30-7.30pm.