Today on World Blood Donor Day, the First Minister for Wales Carwyn Jones is reminding people of the importance of giving blood.
To mark the day, the First Minister has himself given blood at a donor session and is encouraging others to follow suit.
The Welsh Blood Service supplies blood to 16 hospitals in South, West and Mid Wales, which is used to help save the lives of patients requiring blood.
One blood donation can save up to three lives and 450 donations are needed every day in order to meet the demand in Mid, South and West Wales alone.
The blood services are always looking for donors of all blood types, in particular during the summer months when the number of donations drop in comparison to the rest of the year.
Mr Jones said:
“Blood from donors helps to save people’s lives every day. Blood services are vital and important services which rely on the generosity of people to donate.
“Donors are able to give blood every 12 weeks. It is simple and only takes a few minutes. But only six per cent of the eligible population regularly give blood.
“Many people are concerned about giving blood as they believe it may hurt, but I assure you it doesn’t. For most people, giving blood is an easy and trouble-free experience and staff aim to minimise any discomfort there might be.
“I encourage people to give blood – if it is the first time giving blood, or if they have done it before. It is important that anyone who can donate blood comes forward and supports the blood services in Wales, enabling them to supply our hospitals with whatever blood they might need.”
Dr Geoff Poole, Director of the Welsh Blood Service added:
“We are very lucky to have many dedicated donors who have saved thousands of lives in Wales. We all know someone who has received blood, maybe a Mum after childbirth or a cancer patient, many of whom rely on numerous transfusions of blood and blood components to sustain them during their illness.
“We continue to need about 450 donations a day, every week of the year. Every blood donor makes a difference to patient care – very many thanks to you all.”
