Give Blood this Spring in Woodingdean

NHS Blood and Transplant are asking people in Surrey and Sussex to give blood before they pack up to go away on their holidays to help maintain blood stocks throughout the summer.

In the UK 7,000 units of blood are needed everyday to treat patients suffering from a wide range of ailments and injuries, as well as being used as a treatment for many long term illnesses, including cancer.

In the past, blood stocks have been disrupted during the summer by people going away on holiday, often overseas. Not only is the routine of giving blood disrupted but some holiday destinations could potentially increase the risk of travellers getting infections such as Malaria. Although risk of infection is low, donors are asked to wait for 6 months after their return, before giving blood. Because of this, NHS Blood and Transport are urging people to give blood before they go away.

Like Malaria, there are a number of infections caught abroad that require travellers to wait for a period of time before giving blood. If you are unsure if these restrictions apply to your holiday destination this year, please call 0300 123 23 23 for more information.

John Canning , Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHS Blood and Transplant for the South East area, said: “We would love to see both new and existing donors come down to one of their local sessions in May. We understand that people’s routines change as they start to think about holidays and enjoying time away from their everyday lives to spend with family and friends, but we hope people will consider giving blood before they travel to help keep stocks stable throughout the summer months. Being willing to spare some free time, a couple of times a year, means you can help us to save lives.”

If you are in general good health, aged between 17 and 65, and you weigh more than 50 kg (7st 12lbs), you 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.

You can give blood this Spring at Brighton Racecourse:

Wednesday 29 May 2013
14:00 – 16:30 & 17:30 – 20:00
Brighton Racecourse,
Freshfield Road,
Brighton.
East Sussex.
BN2 9XZ

And Woodingdean:

Thursday 30 May 2013
14:00 – 16:30 & 17:30 – 20:00
Woodingdean Primary School,
Warren Road,
Woodingdean,
Brighton,
East Sussex.
BN2 6BB