Sign up and help save lives

We have teamed up with the National Blood Service to launch the Gift of Life appeal and we aim to recruit 1,000 new blood donors over the next month.

The service has told us it desperately needs to build up stocks before the onset of winter – and we think our readers can help.

As well as the expected decline in the number of people donating blood because of seasonal illnesses, experts said this winter could be worse than ever with predictions of more and more people – who may normally donate – being struck down by swine flu.

At the moment there are 66,000 registered blood donors in Oxfordshire, but many of those signed up the scheme are ‘one-off givers’ and do not give blood as regularly as is needed to keep supplies healthy.

With 7,000 donations required each day to supply hospitals across England and Wales, it is vital people sign up now.

And the National Blood Service said just one pint of blood can save up to three lives.

A spokesman added: “We would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who has ever thought about becoming a blood donor to sign up and help save lives now.

“Only four per cent of the eligible population currently give blood so we'd like to ask more people to consider starting the life-saving habit now.”

Anyone aged 17 to 65 has the potential of becoming a donor, so download the pdf and help to give the Gift of Life.

How blood is used Whole blood is rarely used these days, except in cases of severe blood loss. Instead, it is usually separated into individual components.

Red cells are used in the treatment of anaemia.

It is also essential to replace lost red cells after accidents, surgery and childbirth, for anaemic patients and burns victims.

Platelets are used in bone marrow failure and after transplants and chemo-therapy and leukaemia.

Plasma is used after obstetric loss of blood, usually in childbirth, during cardiac surgery, and to reverse any anti-coagulant treatment. It is used in the treatment of haemophilia, and to produce antibodies to fight disease.

Donor rules

* The minimum age to donate is 17, although you can enrol to give blood from the age of 16. If you are a regular donor, there is no upper age limit. If you are a new donor, which means you have either never donated before, or not in the last two years, then the upper age limit is 65.

* Minimum weight is 7st 12lbs (50kg)

* If you have received a blood transfusion since 1980, then unfortunately you will not be able to give blood

You cannot donate if any of the following circumstances apply:

* Tattoos or piercings – you should wait six months from the date of your tattoo/piercing

* Childbirth – wait for nine months, or the length of your pregnancy, following childbirth

* Foreign Travel – some destinations, especially malarial countries, may result in a deferral of up to six months.

* Generally, if you are in good health you should be fine to give blood

* You can still donate if you smoke, or drink, but must not be intoxicated on the day you make a donation.

For more details, see the National Blood Service website at blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.

The top 10 uses of the blood supplies collected from donors by the National Blood Service are:

1. General Surgery

2. General Medical

3. Cardiothoracic, or heart and chest surgery

4. Orthopaedics

5. Haematology

6. Accident and Emergency

7= Renal

7= Neonatal and Paediatrics

8. Intensive Care

9. Obstetrics and Gynaecology