Appeal to top up blood stock (From Ilkley Gazette)
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Appeal to top up blood stock
12:00pm Tuesday 15th January 2013 in Local news
The NHS Blood and Transplant Service has made an urgent appeal to O-type blood donors to come forward.
The service says blood stocks often dip around holiday time as people cannot always attend their sessions.
In addition, the recent outbreak of norovirus has led to a dramatic increase in the number of people correctly cancelling their appointments.
Non-attendance by O Rh negative donors increased by 50 per cent just before New Year.
Although hospitals across the country increased their stocks of blood to cover the extended holiday period, there has been a recent high demand for O- blood to meet patient need, meaning stocks have fallen.
Donor sessions will take place at Kirklands Community Centre, Menston, on January 14; Greenacre Community Hall, Rawdon, on January 16; The Grove Centre, Horsforth, on January 30; the King’s Hall, Ilkley, on February 4, and at The Wesley Hall, Otley, on February 11.
