Donors unite to mark National Blood Week (From Your Local Guardian)

Donors and recipients unite to celebrate National Blood Week

1:10pm Sunday 17th June 2012 in Top Stories

People whose lives have been saved by blood joined dedicated donors to celebrate National Blood Week.

The themed week took place between June 11 and 18, and featured events to both raise awareness of the need for people to give blood, and to thank existing donors for their life-saving gifts.

Staff from the NHS Blood and Transplant centre marked the week with a reception in St George's Hospital, which was attended by Mayor of Wadsworth Councillor Adrian Knowles.

Dedicated blood donors Lindsay Johns and Michael Wells also attended to show their support.

Mr Johns said one of the reason he donates blood is because he lost family and friends to cancer, which often requires blood and platelet transfusions in its treatment.

He said: "Giving blood tangibly saves lives, what could be more important than that?"

John Canning, NHSBT’s lead donor relations manager for the Tooting area, said: "This year’s National Blood Week sees us facing a major challenge as we need to build blood stocks by an additional 30% ahead of the Olympic Games, despite the disruption caused by other major public events.

"However, London 2012 also presents a great opportunity as it gives people the chance to get behind our ‘Team Give Blood’ theme and become heroes, just like the athletes at the games, simply by attending a blood donor session here in Tooting."

Anyone wishing to find out more or book an appointment can either call NHS Blood & Transplant’s donor line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk