Business people wanting to make a difference in 2009 are being encouraged to back the ongoing campaigns to give blood or sign up on the NHS Organ Donor Register.
NHS Blood and Transplant, NHSBT, is calling on people to mark the year ahead by making a commitment - 7,000 donations are needed every day to maintain healthy blood stocks and ensure life-saving treatment for patients across the country. Despite the thousands of transplant operations which take place every year, almost 8,000 people are registered for a transplant and about 1,000 will die while waiting.
Many businesses are already actively involved in the campaigns – keen supporters include Boots the Chemist and Tesco. Smaller firms can also get involved from displaying recruitment leaflets in reception to co-ordinating colleagues to attend blood donor sessions.
Lynda Hamlyn, Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Donation really does save lives. Every time someone gives blood or adds their name to the Organ Donor Register, they are offering the possibility of transforming someone else’s life and the lives of their families.
“At this time of year we all look back and wonder if we could have achieved more.
“If you are making resolutions for the year ahead, then please consider whether you could include making this gift of life part of your own intentions for 2009.
“Many people’s lives have been saved in 2008 and I would like to thank those donors whose generosity already makes possible the blood transfusions and transplants carried out every day across the NHS. To those who have always thought about becoming a regular blood donor or signing up to the Organ Donor Register, but have never got around to it, please make this your New Year’s resolution and act now.”
A successful initiative could be for event organisers to offer space for co-ordinators to promote the campaigns or enable information to be distributed to workforces.
A campaign spokesman said: “Businesses can be really effective and we welcome any ideas and ways of helping us to become a regular blood donor or sign up to the register.”
For your nearest blood donation session or to book an appointment, please ring 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk
To add your name to the NHS Organ Donor Register, please ring 0845 60 60 400 or go to www.organdonation.nhs.uk
