Urgent call for your blood in Thurrock

8:10am Saturday 17th May 2008

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THURROCK residents are being asked to back an appeal for 160 blood donations to help combat a predicted fall in blood stocks over the bank holiday weekend.

Regular and new donors are being urged to roll up their sleeves at two blood donor sessions in Stanford-le-Hope and Chafford Hundred around the bank holiday.

Gareth Bell, spokesman for the National Blood Service in Essex, said: "During the bank holiday we will see around a 10 per cent fall in stocks.

"This may sound fairly insignificant but when you consider we turn them over in around seven to eight days it can make a huge difference.

"Stocks are healthy at the moment, which is great news, but we do really need more people to pick up the phone now to book their appointments. The whole process only takes around an hour and every donation is absolutely vital."

Sessions will be held on Friday, May 23 at the Methodist Church Hall, High Street, Stanford-le-Hope, from 2pm to 4pm and again from 5pm to 7.30pm and on Wednesday, May 28 at Drakes Community Centre, Drakes Road, Chafford Hundred, 2pm to 4pm and again from 5pm to 7.45pm.

In most cases anyone aged 17 to 59, who is generally fit and healthy, weighing over 7st 12lbs, can give blood. Regular donors can keep giving up until their 70th birthday.

For further information contact the NBS helpline on 0845 7 711 711. Appointments are available for all blood donor sessions but donors can also walk-in on the day. Your waiting time will be reduced with an appointment.

More information can also be found by logging on to www.blood.co.uk.