December means Christmas, which is a time for giving, but before Christmas arrives, you have the chance in Rugby to give something far more precious than presents. Giving blood can save lives.
If you’ve never done it before, it can sound a little daunting. The amount they take ('A pint? That’s nearly an armful!' as Tony Hancock once put it) is only a fraction of the blood currently flowing around your body, and is replaced very quickly.
A litre of blood can save up to three lives. These might be mothers in childbirth, babies, children or anyone who is undergoing an operation. Blood donation is a crucial part of the healthcare system and with around 8,000 blood transfusions being carried out every day, it’s clear to see how vital it is for people to donate. Annually, there are about 2.1 million donations collected from about a million and a half people in England; this might seem like a lot, but only represents 4% of the population.
And blood has a short shelf life. It can only be stored for up to 35 days, so stocks need constant replenishment.
It’s an easy way for you to really do some good, and especially in the build p to Christmas, it’s a good time to think about others.
And you get a cup of tea and a biscuit at the end!
The NHS Donation service has two sessions in Rugby this week, and even if you haven’t booked a slot, they still welcome people who turn up on the day. The sessions are on Tuesday between 1.15 and 3.30 and then in the evening between 4.30 and 7.30.
