McGimpsey makes donor demand
7/9/2009
Those living in Northern Ireland are being encouraged to donate blood.
Stating that 94 per cent of those who are eligible to give blood currently fail to do so, health minister Michael McGimpsey points out that each week around 500 people in the region need blood on a life-saving basis.
"There is of course a heightened importance for people to donate blood ahead of an anticipated surge in swine flu cases in the autumn and winter," he claims.
Mr McGimpsey adds that around 300 people need to give every day to ensure that hospitals in the region have sufficient supplies, as donated blood can be used in areas from routine operations and treating cancer to emergency surgery, those in nursing home care could be interested to hear.
Earlier this year, the minister called for more people to register as organ donors as 13 people from the area died over the course of 2008 as they waited for an organ to become available.
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