WITH the World Cup behind us and the summer holiday season now in full swing, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) would like to thank everyone who took the time to donate blood over the last few weeks. During the 2006 World Cup blood stocks were at the lowest level for five years. Throughout this year’s World Cup period blood stock levels were closely monitored to ensure they weren’t affected again. Thanks to all our committed donors the levels remained normal.

However, we’d like to remind donors that we still need you to give blood over the coming weeks. During the summer months stocks can traditionally take a seasonal dip. As schools break up and families go off on their summer holidays it’s easy to forget the blood donor appointment in the diary that was made weeks ago. We’re asking people to keep their appointments and if they do need to change them then please call us on 0300 123 23 23 to rearrange.

Currently 7,000 units of blood are needed everyday to help save the lives of sick and injured patients across England and North Wales and regular donations are vital as donated blood cannot be stockpiled. Platelets, a clotting factor in blood used to help treat leukaemia and cancer patients, last for just five days. Red cells last a bit longer at 35 days and are often transfused to patients suffering from severe anaemia or acute blood loss.

NHSBT would like to thank all donors for their ongoing commitment, without whom, many thousands of lives would be lost each year.

JON LATHAM

Assistant Director - Session Strategy and Marketing NHS Blood and Transplant

Watford