6:01pm Thursday 22nd February 2007
By Andy Rutherford
GWENT blood donors are being urged to give up a drop of the red stuff to help the Welsh Blood Service overcome a shortage that threatens supplies to seriously ill patients across Wales.
Seasonal illnesses have reduced the numbers of donors attending sessions in recent weeks, and the heavy snow a fortnight ago forced the service to end sessions early.
The result is a shortage of around 800 units of blood compared to what the service considers normal levels for this time of the year.
There is currently only four days' stock left of O negative-type blood, particularly important as it can be given to anyone in an emergency.
Four days' stocks are also left of O positive, A positive, and AB negative blood types, but there is just one day's supply remaining of B negative-type.
"We would urge all donors who maybe did not given blood in January and early February because they had 'flu or other illnesses to come along to a session as soon as possible," said Trudi Evans, the Welsh Blood Service's donor recruitment manager.
"The snow really hit us hard.
"We were having to close sessions at noon that Friday to get staff and equipment back to base and then home, and I can't remember the last time we had to do that.
"That meant we lost around 800 units of blood and it takes a while to build back up.
"But some supplies are getting very low and the demand for blood from the hospitals doesn't stop, so we need everyone who can to help us out."
Donors who have not attended a session inside the last 16 weeks - the minimum period allowed between donations - are also being urged to go along to the next available, convenient session.
PANEL: UPCOMING blood donor sessions in Gwent: Monday February 26: Caerleon, University of Wales Newport campus, main hall, 10am-12.30pm, 2-6pm Tuesday February 27: as above.
Wednesday February 28: Ebbw Vale rugby club, 10am-6pm.
Thursday March 1: as above; and Newport Centre, 10am-6pm.
Friday March 2: Ebbw Vale rugby club, 10am-4pm; Usk memorial hall, 10am-6pm.
Tuesday March 6: Caerleon, UWN campus, main hall, 10am-4pm.
Thursday March 8, Blaina community centre, 10am-12.30pm, 2-6pm; Chepstow, Severnbridge social club, Bulwark, 10am-6pm.
Monday March 12: Chepstow Tesco, Station Road (mobile clinic), 11am-7pm.
Monday March 19: Newport Tesco, Spytty Road, (mobile clinic) 11am-7pm.
Thursday March 22: Chepstow, Severnbridge social club, Bulwark, 10am-6pm.
Friday March 23: Brynmawr community centre, 10am-12.30pm, 2-6pm.
Friday March 23: Cwmbran, Llanyrafon Methodist church hall, 10am-6pm.
Further information is available from the Welsh Blood Service on 0800 252266, or www.welsh-blood.org.uk
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