Give blood, save lives say the Rotary Club

They don’t actually want it themselves of course. The Club is still working in partnership with the NI Blood Transfusion Service to try and increase the number of donors in the Coleraine area.

Members of the club are still working hard to raise awareness of donation sessions. They are encouraging people to start giving blood and for those who have given before, to continue giving blood.

The effort starts at home and many of the club members are getting involved and making donations themselves.

The next Blood Donation sessions in Coleraine will be on Monday 20 and Tuesday 21 February in the Baptist Church Hall, Abbey Street. Sessions are between 1.30 and 4pm and 5.15 and 8.00pm each day.

Michael Magee is the president of the Rotary Club of Coleraine.

He said: “The Rotary Club wants to be involved in a positive way in the community.

“What better way to do this than increasing the number of donors in Coleraine.

“We will be involved in publicising donation sessions across the Borough and encouraging people to come along and donate their blood. It only takes a few minutes of your time but the potential benefits of your donation are enormous.”

The timing is important, as the NI Blood Transfusion Service works to ensure that blood stocks are kept at a safe level. Recent hard hitting television advertisements let people see the real pressing need for blood donation

New donors are always needed but it is equally important that existing donors keep giving blood.

Around 500 people a week in Northern Ireland need blood transfusions, about 40% of them being cancer patients and the rest mainly being used during surgical operations.

Michael said: “We are asking everyone to look at their own circumstances and think of the benefit they can bring by giving blood.

“Join us and remember the slogan – Give Blood, Save Lives.”

For more information on Blood Donation, visit www.nibts.org or ring 0500534 666.