Fresh plea for more blood donors in Hampshire to come forward

RESIDENTS across the Portsmouth area are being urged to give blood as a new year's resolution instead of giving something up.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on more people to donate blood in 2017 which could be used to save a life.

It comes after an online survey by the organisation revealed 70 per cent of people aged 16 to 79 did not make a new year’s resolution.

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Mike Stredder, director of blood donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: ‘The new year has traditionally been a time when people think about giving things up.

‘This year we’re asking people in Hampshire to make a new kind of resolution and register to give blood.

‘Each donation can potentially save up to three lives. In 2017 don’t just give up, give.’

First-time donors are desperately needed by the cause to replace those who can no longer give blood.

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More than half of the nation’s blood donors are aged 45 and over, so the service is looking for younger volunteers to join – especially those from black or Asian communities, as well as donors with the universal blood group O negative.

To register as a donor, or to find out more information, see www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.