6 teenagers are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. More than 1 in 3 people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and may need blood.
Blood and its components are a vital resource necessary to treat those cancer patients who may suffer from anaemia and bleeding following chemotherapy or radiotherapy. Bone marrow which produces blood cells in the body can be adversely affected by chemotherapy or radiotherapy resulting in a low production of blood cells which can lead to anaemia or bleeding.
A cancer patient may require regular transfusions, typically two or three units at a time, until their bone marrow recovers enough to make their own cells.
More blood donors are needed in your area so hospital demand can be met for blood to treat a variety of patients. Please enrol today, you can complete the attached enrolment form, ring our donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
The Youth Cancer Trust is pleased to be working together with Blood Donation and the campaign to encourage people to donate blood and platelets.
"We have all decided that as
a
charity supporting young people with cancer, it is important that we all give blood to help
with the
treament for cancer patients. Bournemouth and Poole especially need donors so
please come
and join us and give blood. It's simple, it doesn't hurt and you will be helping
save lives." says
Brenda Clark (Founder of the charity)
There are many reasons why students don't donate their blood. Here are some of the top ones given:
"I can't donate because I have a tattoo/piercing"
You can't donate if you've had it done within the last 4 months. If you've had it longer, it won't exclude you but you must tell us.
"I can't donate as I think I’m anaemic."
We check your haemoglobin levels (Hb) every time you come to give blood so even if your iron level is low we can tell you when you can next give blood. Eating a well-balanced diet including three portions of food that are good sources of iron, (e.g. lean red meat, turkey, chicken, eggs, nuts, including peanut butter, baked beans, brown bread) helps to boost your iron level.
"I can't donate as I drink a lot."
Even if you drink you can still donate but we do not advise heavy drinking 24 hours before or after you donate.
"I can't donate as I smoke drugs."
Even if you smoke drugs you can still donate but we do not advise smoking drugs 48 hours before or after you donate.
"I don't want to donate as I might catch VCJD."
All equipment used to collect blood is new and sterile and is never re-used so you don’t have to worry about risks to your health.
"I can't donate as I do lots of sports and it might affect my performance."
We suggest that you avoid muscle exercises, rough movements or picking up heavy objects the first 4-5 hours after the donation. If you are doing heavy activities such as weight lifting or the gym then you should wait until the next day.
"I don't weigh very much, so I'm worried I will feel weak afterwards"
As long as you weigh at least 50kg then there shouldn't be a problem. Most people adapt quickly to the blood loss and their system isn't upset by it. A short rest with refreshments helps your body to adjust.
"I’ve spent the summer travelling so I don't think I can donate yet”
If you’ve visited areas of the world where malaria is found you may need to be temporarily deferred. Contact our helpline on 0300 123 23 23 to check if this applies to you.
"I registered in my home town so I can’t donate here"
It is possible to donate three times a year. So you can donate in your University town too and save even more lives.
"I've already donated blood this year, so I can't donate again"
It is possible to donate every 12-16 weeks. Give blood regularly and potentially save thousand of lives.
"I don't have time to give blood"
If you book an appointment via the Blood Service online session searcher you can select a time and date that suits you. The whole process takes less than an hour and some sessions take place later in the evening.
"I've already donated, so I've done my bit"
There's a constant need for blood and you can actually donate three times a year.
"I'll never need blood"
Even if you don't, you'll probably have a friend or relative who will. So do it for them. If you are of South Asian, or Black African or Caribbean descent, your blood is very rare and could help patients from your community even more who require regular transfusions.
"I don't need to. There's always plenty of blood in stock"
Most of the blood is used in a few days, which means more is always needed.
GET THE FACTS!
Blood is used to treat cancer! Save a life. Give blood!
The incidence of skin cancer has doubled in young people in the last 20 years and sun burn when you’re young can lead to skin cancer later on.
Six young people are diagnosed with cancer every day.
Every minute of every day someone, somewhere, benefits from blood donation.
We need to collect two million donations of blood every year.
7,000 blood donations are needed every day.
Only 4% of the population donate blood.
Each day three people die because there are not enough organs available.
One organ can save or transform up to nine lives.
Each year 3,500 people’s lives are saved or dramatically improved by an organ transplant.
More than 10,000 people in the UK currently need an organ transplant.
Only 28% of us are on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
People under the age of 21 are twice as likely to give blood (for the first time) as the over 45s.
Under 1% Of blood donations in the UK are given by people of South-East Asian origin.
Giving blood is usually painless.
If one of your friends or relatives ever needs blood to save their life, that lifesaver could be you. And one day, the person needing blood could be you.
Please don’t leave it to someone else.
You can also find out how you can donate blood platelets and where by visiting this website:
