Published at 16:32, Wednesday, 16 January 2013

A CAMPAIGN to combat the dramatic drop in blood donations came to Barrow in a bid to drum up support among young donors.

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The NHS Blood and Transplant’s “100,000 new donors in 100 days” campaign aims to recruit 10,500 donors across the North West by February 14.

The campaign visited a blood donation session at The Forum in Barrow on Friday after a new report revealed that only 23 teenagers aged 17 to 18 in the Barrow area signed up to the register in 2012.

Barbara Blanche, lead donor relations manager for NHS Blood and Transplant, urged people in Barrow to back the lifesaving campaign.

Ms Blanche said: “We hope the people of Barrow will support us in providing blood to save and improve lives every day.

“Each donation can potentially save the lives of three adults or seven newborn babies so really does have an impact.”

Hollyoaks stars and designer Wayne Hemingway are supporting the appeal to recruit new donors.

Actress Jorgie Porter, who plays Theresa McQueen in the Channel 4 soap, said: “Giving blood is such an amazing thing to do. Blood isn’t just needed when people have accidents – it’s also used to help treat health conditions including cancer and long-term illnesses and in maternity care.”

Anyone aged between 17-65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor.

There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

For more information or to book an appointment, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

Published by http://www.nwemail.co.uk