ALMOST 200 Mole Valley residents have answered the call to become blood donors as part of a national campaign to increase blood stocks – with more still needed.
The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) service's bid to recruit 100,000 new donors in 100 days has been hailed a great success after its Valentine's Day target was smashed two weeks early.
A total of 119,907 people from across England and North Wales came forward to support the campaign, which was launched following a dramatic decline in the number of younger donors signing up in 2012.
A total of 2,406 people from Surrey – of whom 183 live in Mole Valley – were among those who signed up to help ensure future blood stocks are protected.
Jon Latham, assistant director for marketing at NHSBT, said: "We'd like to say a big 'thank you' to everyone who has supported the campaign.
"It is fantastic that we exceeded the target and people signed up with such enthusiasm. Hopefully any new registrants who haven't got around to donating will do so soon.
"This campaign has helped to tackle the drop in new young donors from the summer and now we are looking ahead. We rely on new blood donors to keep coming forward as we need more than 1,000 new registrations every day to replace those donors who can no longer donate."
Mr Latham said young people were vital to the blood service, with 17 to 24-year-olds accounting for around 40 per cent of new donors each year.
However, the number of young donors registering had fallen by 20 per cent over the last ten years.
In 2012, the number of 17 and 18-year-olds registering dropped by 50 per cent.
Anyone aged between 17 and 65, weighing more than 50kg (7st 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.
To find out if you are eligible, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
