Help fill the stocking this year – make and keep a date to donate
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is making a countywide appeal for people to give lifesaving blood donations over the Christmas period.
In December alone, 600 donation appointments at the Poole donation centre remain unbooked.
NHSBT is strongly advising people across Dorset to donate before Christmas and keep any previously booked appointments.
The demand for transfusions doesn’t diminish over Christmas, but many people fail to attend their scheduled appointment due to festive celebrations.
Along with this, the rising number of flu and colds that hit during winter months deter regular donors.
Cancers, blood conditions, childbirth and accidents require a healthy supply of donations from the general public to ensure that lives can be saved.
One of the nations 23 dedicated permanent donation centres can be found on the first floor of Boots at the Dolphin Centre in Poole, which is open 6 days a week.
Loyal donors from Poole and the surrounding areas are urged to help keep hospitals blood stocks topped up nationwide.
Regular donor Mark Ashby, 48, highlighted that people need personal motivations now more than ever to encourage new donors to sign up.
“Until you hear of stories or have personal tragedies – for the sake of 20 minutes, you don’t know who you’re going to help” he said.
If you would like to donate over the Christmas period, call 0300 123 23 23, book online via www.blood.co.uk or visit the donor centre at The Dolphin Centre, 190-196 High St, Poole, BH15 1SX.
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