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Sellafield Ltd employees do something amazing
The NHS Blood and Transplant Service has thanked Sellafield Ltd employees for their fantastic support and valuable blood donations which continue to make a real difference and help save lives across our communities.
Workers at Sellafield have provided almost a fifth (18 per cent) of all blood collected in Cumbria so far this year, equating to more than 1,000 units of blood.
Sessions at Risley are less frequent. However Hinton House-based employees have already donated more than 140 units this year.
Barbara Blanche, NHSBT’s lead donor relations manager for the northwest, said: “We are hugely grateful to all employees who have helped to make these sessions such a success.
“We have collected more than 1,000 units of blood from staff at Sellafield Ltd so far this year. This is a tremendous amount and will contribute significantly to the vital stocks local hospitals need for patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases.”
Louise Tyson, Stakeholder Relations, said: “I used to work in a hospital so have seen with my own eyes how important it is to have stocks readily available, and you never know when you may need it yourself. The donor service visits site regularly which is great. I make an appointment in advance and I'm in and out within 30 minutes."
Rob Ellison, environment advisor at Hinton House, said: “I started to donate blood this year after it dawned on me that I would be more than happy to receive blood if I needed it. I would also expect there to be blood available for family or friends if needed, yet I was not willing to donate blood myself.
“I've since been twice this year and I'm booked in again in September. My previous donations have been both painless and effortless. It's such an easy thing to do considering that it will save someone's life.”
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing for more employees to start donating.
Barbara said: “We would be delighted if even more people managed to attend sessions. Donating blood shouldn’t take more than an hour and Sellafield Ltd has very kindly allowed employees to donate while at work.”
Although there are no sessions at Capenhurst site, many employees are regular donors including Paul Foster who has donated a massive 105 units. Paul said: “I first donated blood in 1973 when I was an apprentice on the Capenhurst site. I feel it is very important to support this life saving service – it’s the right thing to do.”
For more information on the service visit www.blood.co.uk.
First-time blood donors should be aged between 17-65, weigh at least 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and be in general good health. If you’ve donated before, you can start again up to your 70th birthday and there is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.
Did you know?
• Four per cent of the eligible population are active blood donors
• A unit of blood is measured as 470mls (or just under a pint).
• NHSBT collects approximately 2 million units of blood each year from 1.4 million blood donors.
• There are four main blood groups – O, A, B and AB. Group O is the most common and therefore the most in demand. A regular supply of blood is vital – red cells last only 35 days and platelets only five days.
