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30-33_ARENA_SPRING2016_Arena_A5 11/02/2016 10:02 Page 2 Feature ds your blood... The NHS nee You can be a life saver ER REGI b S l T ood at: to give lood.co.uk www.b Usdaw members can play a big part in restocking the UK’s blood supplies, it’s an easy and painless way to save lives nsurprisingly the NHS blood bank doesn’t fill itself. However, blood has a limited shelf-life and it’s thanks to a small army of dedicated donors that stocks are frequently topped up.. arena followed David Leese (right) on his 50th visit to give blood to find out what is involved and to promote the NHS Blood and Transplant service’s call for more volunteers U System works well “I started giving blood 18 years ago. I don’t have a special reason for doing it. I just thought at the time ‘I’m fit and healthy, so why not?’ God forbid if something happened, but I think when we go to the hospital we just expect that there’ll be plenty of blood. Obviously since I became a father you think of your family even more and it’s become part of my mind-set now. “Actually giving blood lasts about an hour and I donate 30 arena three times a year. It’s all purely voluntary. The appointment system works very well and you’re given your next one straight after each session. You also get reminders in the weeks before you’re due to donate. “So when you arrive you’re offered a drink of water or juice and given a booklet to read which has advice on what will happen and why. “You then go through your medical screening in private with a nurse. A tiny sample of blood is taken from your thumb so they can test your iron levels. You also fill in a questionnaire about yourself, things like ‘whether you’ve been abroad recently’ and other general questions. Once you’ve signed this, you take a seat and wait to be allocated a bed. “When the nurse is ready, you’re connected. It’s like having a blood test. You feel a small scratch when the needle is inserted, it’s not ‰‰