Macclesfield News - written by local people

The National Blood Service (NBS) is asking all potential donors to make time to roll up their sleeves and give a pint of the red stuff.

Currently only five per cent of the eligible population give blood but 15 per cent of these donors are lost every year due to ill health, retirement and relocation. This means that the NBS are always looking for new donors across the region to come forward and help keep stocks up.

Cathy Davies, Communications Officer for the NBS said: "We’d like to thank all the donors who have already donated recently and helped to save lives. However, the demand for blood never stops so if you haven’t given blood for a while, or have never given blood before please consider coming to donate over the next few weeks."

Cathy adds; "Please make a special effort to give blood. Many patients in hospital are reliant on your donation so that their operation or lifesaving treatment can go ahead."

Anyone aged between 17 and 60, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12 lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. For details of sessions in your area or to book an appointment call 08457 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk.