Local people will be able to give blood at a new venue in the area when a session at Rochdale Football Club kicks off later on Monday May 19.

It is hoped the sessions at the Spotland Stadium will be a convenient location for donors from all over Rochdale, and result in a boost in donor numbers.

Donna Larkin, Area Donor Services Manager for the National Blood Service, said, "We have been looking for a new venue for blood donation sessions in this part of Rochdale for a while. We wanted somewhere with plenty of free car parking and good public transport links to make it as easy as possible for people to come and donate, so we're delighted the football club have agreed to host us."

The first session is set to be held in the stadium's Horner's Room on Monday 19^th May, 1:30 - 3:30pm & 5:30 - 7:30pm. More sessions are planned for later in the year.

Around 4,700 donations are needed every week across the North West, around 100 donations for patients in the Rochdale area alone. Just one donation of blood, split into red cells, platelets and plasma, could save the lives of up to three patients.

Anyone aged 17 - 60 weighing over 7st 12lbs (50 kg), in general good health, could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. For more information on becoming a blood donor including details of your nearest sessions, or to make an appointment, call 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk

·         the NBS collects approximately 2.4 million units of blood each year from 1.9 million blood donors

 

·         The NHS needs 8,000 voluntary donations of blood daily

 

·         Only 4% of the eligible population are active blood donors

 

·         a unit of blood is measured as 470mls (or just under a pint )

 

·         Whole blood donors can give every 16 weeks, that's three times per year

 

·         regular blood donors can keep giving up until the age of 70

 

·         There are 4 main blood groups - O, A, B and AB.  Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand.  Over 95 per cent of the blood collected is processed into its main components - red cells, platelets and plasma.  A regular supply of blood is vital - red cells last only 35 days and platelets only 5 days.

For further information please contact:

Rachel Hollingworth, National Blood Service Communications Officer: 0161 2514370

E-mail: rachel.hollingworth@nhsbt.nhs.uk