Back to school and back to session
The NHS are appealing for Cheltenham Town fans to give blood at our training ground on Tuesday 24 September.
In September, as the summer holidays end, children head back to school and people return to work. NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in Swindon Village to make sure giving blood is part of their routine. And now CTFC fans have the chance to donate at the Training Ground!
Fans and people in the local area can give blood between the hours of 1.30pm and 7.30pm on Tuesday 24 September but please remember to book in advance using the .www.blood.co.ukDonor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit
Blood is always required with hospitals in England and North Wales needing around 7,000 units of blood every day to treat patients for a range of reasons. It is used in accidents and emergencies but also during surgery and treatment for cancer and blood diseases, like leukaemia. Please book your appointment now and get the date in your diary to help others.
It is important that vital blood stocks are maintained at all times, as red blood cells have a shelf life of just 35 days and platelets a shelf life of only seven days. NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect enough blood in the right quantities to meet patient needs and regular donors are crucial in enabling us to do so.
Geraldine Parker, Lead Donor Relations Manager for NHSBT, said: “It is time to go back to school and work and it would be great to see people heading back to blood donor sessions as part of their normal routine.
“We are grateful to all those donors who gave blood over the summer. We appreciate not everybody was able to do so, as they may have been busy enjoying the weather, been away on holiday or given blood too recently to donate again. If you can, please book your next appointment now.
“New donors are always welcome.The more people who register and donate, the easier it is for us to tailor our sessions, so we collect just what’s needed. For example, if stocks of a particular blood group are falling, we have more people with that group who we can call on to donate. Now is as good a time as any to get your first appointment in your diaries.”
Anyone aged between 17 - 65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 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. For more information or to book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
· For additional information please contact the NHS Blood and Transplant press office by calling 01923 367600
· For out of hours enquiries please call 0117 969 2444