Wiltshire donors help campaign reach target
9:29am Monday 18th February 2013 in Latest News
A campaign to help make up a shortfall in new blood donors by recruiting 100,000 New Donors in 100 Days has been hailed a great success after the target was smashed two weeks early.
People came forward in their thousands to support the campaign run by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) which was launched following a dramatic decline in the number of younger donors signing up in 2012.
A total of 1,590 from Wiltshire stepped forward in the run-up to Valentine’s Day, joining the 119,907 that signed up across England and North Wales. The new sign-ups will help to ensure future blood stocks are protected.
Jon Latham, NHS Blood and Transplant spokesman, said: “We'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who has supported the 100,000 new donors in 100 days campaign. It is fantastic that we exceeded the target and people signed up with such enthusiasm and hopefully any new registrants who haven’t got around to donating will do so soon.”
Young people are vital to the blood service, with 17-24 year olds accounting for around 40% of new donors each year. New donors are essential to blood donation in England and North Wales to keep donor levels stable.
Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (seven stone 12lbs) and in general good health 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.
To find out if you are eligible to become a blood donor and make a date to donate, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
