Jenny Frost always wanted to give blood
Jenny Frost has joined the 100,000 people who have signed up to donate blood.
Since the first ever National Blood Week in June, the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) have reported a singnificant increase in the number of people signing up to donate blood.
With 20,000 of these people being first-time donors too.
Jenny Frost, TV presenter and singer, says: "I've always wanted to give blood, but like lots of people have never got round to it. So when NHSBT asked me to support their campaign I jumped at the chance. Now I've made a date to donate and am looking forward to becoming a life saver later in the year.
"It's really important that the younger generation do their bit to help, so go on, make a date to donate."
During National Blood Week there was an issued call for 10,000 people to make a date to donat, after new data showed there had been a 20 per cent drop in young regulare donors over the last decade raising concerns for the stability of blood stocks in the future.
Jon Latham, assistant director of Blood Donation at NHSBT, says: "We've been overwhelmed by the public's response to our National Blood Week campaign, and would like to thank all of the first time and regular donors who made a 'date to donate', a simple act that will help to save and improve many lives.
"However, to maintain blood stocks we need a staggering 2 million donations and 230,000 new donors every year - and there is still a lack of regular young donors. We therefore urge the younger generation to make a date to donate and become the life savers of the future."
Among existing donors, 40-54 year-olds are still responsible for giving the most blood, with 37,391 giving during the National Blood Week. This is staggering compared with just 17,898 from the 17-29 age bracket.
Franki Jus-Burke, an Olympic rowing hopeful, became a first-time blood donor during the campaign. He says: When I saw the news about teh drop in young donors I felt compelled to become a donor myself. I made an appointment that day and gave blood the same week.
"It didn't hurt at all and was over very quickly. I've even managed to convince a few of my friends to do the same, and I'm booked in to give blood again in September."
Femalefirst Taryn Davies
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