Each day hospitals in England
and north Wales require 10,000 units of blood to supply their patients with the care that
they need and require. The National Blood Service works hard to meet these demands but can
only do this
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with the help and generosity
of donors who are voluntary and unpaid. At present only six per cent of the eligible
population give blood. There are a few things that may prevent people from donating,
including whether giving could affect the donor's health. Reasons include being unwell on
the day of donation, if you have been pregnant in the
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past nine months or if you have certain medical conditions and are
taking certain medication. Alternatively if a donation could affect the health of the
recipient this may prevent a person giving blood. This includes visiting a foreign country
within the last six months where there may have been a chance of exposure to malaria, a
lifestyle which puts you at risk of HIV or hepatitis and if you have had ear or body
piercing in the last year.
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The procedure is straightforward with donors being asked to fill in a form prior to a
health check. If the initial screening is given the all clear then the donor's blood is
tested for iron levels.
This involves taking a drop of blood from the donor's finger and dropping it into a
solution to test the level of haemoglobin (iron). |
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The donor is then moved
to a bed and will donate a unit of blood (470 ml).
The donation should take between five and ten minutes. Three samples of blood are taken
for tests for HIV, Hepatitis B and C and Syphilis. After that there is a rest
period and off for a cup of tea and refreshments. |
If you would like to become a blood donor you should be aged between 17 - 60 (70 for
regular donors), weigh over 7st 12lbs (50 kg) and be in general good health. Information
can be obtained from the Donor Helpline on 0845 7 711 711 or on the NBS website at www.blood.co.uk
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The most welcome sight
was Dorothy Judson who is 88 years young, she is the lovely lady who provides you with
your Tea or Coffee. |
WHY DON'T YOU POP LONG AND TRY IT
SAVE A LIFE - GIVE BLOOD
You never know when you may be grateful
yourself to a donor
There are sessions in Sheringham on:
13 February
7 May
19 June
10 September
4 November
All at St Andrew's Methodist Church Hall, Cromer Road, Sheringham.
Times: 1:00pm until 3:30pm & 4:30pm until 7:00pm.
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