The National Blood Service is an integral part of the NHS. They guarantee to deliver blood, blood components, blood products and tissues from their 15 centres to anywhere in England and North Wales.
They ensure that the blood supply is screened and is safe for patients to receive. Every year they collect, test, process, store and issue 2.1 million blood donations. They depend entirely on voluntary donations from the general public and try to encourage existing donors to give up to three times a year.
It's amazing what the promise of a free cup of tea and a biscuit will do!!
Blood has lots of different components that can help patients in numerous ways. Here's why you should consider giving ............
Whole blood - this restores blood after a road accident or surgery.- Washed red cells - given to people who receive multiple transfusions over a long period of time.
- Platelets - this aid 'blood clotting' - the absence of these causes severe bruising and internal bleeding.
- Dried plasma and plasma protein fraction - these are used for the treatment of burns or injury.
- Factor VIII preparations - this has revolutionised the treatment of haemophilia.
- Concentrated red cells - used for 'Rhesus' babies immediately after birth.
If this has encouraged you to donate the next sessions in Stratford on Avon are:
Thursday October 18th 2007
13.30 - 15.30 and 16.30 - 18.00
Friday November 9th 2007
14.00 to 16.00 and 17.00 - 19.30
Thursday November 29th 2007
14.00 - 16.00 and 17.00 19.30
The above sessions are at:
The Methodist Church
Old Town
Stratford upon Avon
Warwickshire
CV37 6BG
You can find out more about Blood Donors, including all other sessions available in our area, by logging onto
https://donor.blood.co.uk
