Donors with Groups O, A and B are being urged to give blood as soon as possible. With supplies down to a three day level, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) aims to build blood supplies of these vitally important groups in advance of the October half term holidays.
Moira Carter, SNBTS said, “Although we are currently able to meet hospital demand we need to give our stock levels a significant boost before we enter the school holiday period. This year we are particularly concerned as we expect that more families will head off for some much-needed sunshine given the poor summer. When that happens we find that donor numbers fall by up to 20%. Specifically we are asking for all group O, A and B donors to make sure that they give blood in the coming days and weeks.”
Moira Carter continued: “Ideally at this time of year we would aim to have six days of each blood group. We are now asking all donors to come forward and rebuild supplies of these blood groups. Our records show that more than 50,000 donors have not yet donated in 2012. We need these donors to make an extra special effort to return and give blood now.”
SNBTS Director, Mary Morgan, said: “Blood groups O and A are the two most common, therefore they are the most needed by Scotland’s patients. O negative donors are uniquely placed to help patients when they need it most as their blood group can be given to anyone in an emergency. Give blood and be the type to save a life today.”
Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre at Lauriston Place is open from Monday to Saturday (see website for details or telephone 0845 90 90 999).
There will be two opportunities to give blood locally next month, with sessions at Blackhall St. Columba’s, Hillhouse Road on Monday 12 November and St. Stephen’s Church, East Fettes Avenue on Wednesday 28 November.
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