The National Blood Service
| Published: 31st January 2007 10:10 |
- The National Blood Service (NBS) collects, processes and tests blood and blood products before it is issued to the 310 hospitals in England and North Wales.
- The NBS collects approx 2 million units of blood each year from 1.3 million donors
- The NBS needs to collect 10,640 donations of blood a month, to supply the hospitals in the Staffordshire area.
- Only 5% of the eligible population give blood
- To become a donor you must be aged 17-60, weigh over 50kg (7st. 12lb) and be in good health.
- Regular blood donors can keep on giving until they are 70
- Donors can give every 16 weeks, that's 3 times per year.
- Each donation can be broken down into3 component parts; plasma, platelets and red cells. Therefore, one donation of blood can save the lives of up to 3 people.
For more info, visit http://www.blood.co.uk/ or the national helpline number 08457 711 711
To find out where you can give blood locally click here
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