Urgent appeal for blood donors

The Welsh Blood Service, which collects blood in South, West and mid Wales, is making an urgent appeal for blood donors of groups O Rhesus Positive, A Rhesus Positive or O Rhesus Negative to come forward and make a lifesaving donation. 

The recent bad weather combined with winter colds and flu has seriously reduced our blood stocks.  

Dr Geoff Poole, Director of the Welsh Blood Service said “During the snow we had a shortfall of over 1000 donations, which we now need to replace.  To rebuild our stocks we need at least 600 people to come forward every day throughout January. We cannot meet the needs of our hospitals without the support of the people of Wales.  At this difficult time we need your support more than ever.  

“Our blood stocks are at a seriously low level and we are making an urgent appeal for regular donors to make every effort to attend their next scheduled donation clinic during January.  We are also appealing to those donors who have not donated for a while and members of our communities who have not donated before to come forward and make a lifesaving donation.

“We ask for your patience at our clinics, which may become extremely busy following this urgent appeal. However, a little of your time will ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia, continue to receive the life-giving transfusions they need.”

To increase blood stocks the Welsh Blood Service is extending the opening times of some of its regular clinics and is also holding special blood donation clinics across Wales.  Visit www.welshblood.org.uk or call 0800 25 22 66 to find a session near you.

Attached is a schedule of blood donor sessions in the Rhondda Cynon Taf area through the month of February.