(CLICK THE WATCH VIDEO BUTTON TO SEE COMEDIAN EDDIE KADI GIVING BLOOD)
(Click & watch the ACLT Video about registering as a donor called "My Brother's Keeper")
(Click & watch the ITV Central Tonight feature about the need for more bone marrow and blood donors.
The ACLT and National Blood Service (part of the NHS Blood and Transplant) would like to invite you to support the ACLT's 3rd Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Month in October 2011 and to encourage the Black & Mixed Race community to register as new and regular blood donors, even if you may already be on the bone marrow register.
This is the 3rd year the ACLT has had the honour of showcasing this week long programme of blood drives up and down the country, held in tribute to Daniel's untimely passing on the 8th October 2008.
Donations really do make a difference. During the last 3-4 years of Daniel's life he had been diagnosed with Haemolytic Anaemia (abnormal breakdown of red blood cells) and became reliant on receiving 3-5 units of blood every week. The generosity of the (primarily) white British community, helped to preserve Daniel's life, enabling him to continue his degree in Sports Physiotherapy at the London Metropolitan University in North London. Without this life line, Daniel's life would have been cut much earlier and he would not have reached the age of 21.
Every minute of every day someone somewhere needs blood for life saving treatments and the daily demand is for 8,000 units of blood. However 4% of the UK population give blood and shockingly, only 0.45% of these donors are black individuals. Yet so many people rely on blood for a variety of reasons such as treatment of cancers, transfusions for Sickle Cell Anaemia patients, during child birth, major surgery and other life threatening conditions including victims of gun and knife crime.
Orin and I, as well as staff and volunteers who can donate, already give blood on a regular basis but sadly, very few people from the Black and Mixed Race community do, and so I would like to put a challenge to you. With just one unit of blood having the ability to save 3 lives, we're asking all members of the African and Caribbean community to do something small in order to achieve something really big - by becoming a life saver.
40 minutes of your time is all it takes to save someone's life. Do it during your lunch hour or break, before, during or after work, university and college or on your day off.
Will you please step forward NOW to start the change the Black or Mixed Race community needs today?
Theo Clarke, National Marketing Manager at the National Blood Service, said: "We are honoured to commemorate Daniel's life and legacy by co-hosting the Daniel De-Gale Blood Donation Week. We continue to work closely with the ACLT to raise awareness in the African, Caribbean and mixed race communities, for the need of blood donors. Their tireless work to encourage people to take the life saving step of becoming a donor has undoubtedly made a difference to so many patients. As this is the third anniversary of Daniel's passing, we ask not only that people come to donate once for this cause, but that they take up the challenge to donate 3 times a year and make donating blood a regular habit. We jointly ask people to step forward and give blood. Please don't leave it to someone else."
Therefore, please seriously consider coming along to one of these sessions (we will be there supporting you). All you will need to do is book an appointment and turn up! The ACLT and the NBS will do the rest and ensure you are comfortable about the blood donation procedure. It's really simple.
If you have donated blood before but have not been for a while, please make an appointment. If you have never donated blood but would like to support this initiative PLEASE PLEASE book an appointment today and also encourage your family and friends to do likewise. Attendance is by appointment only.
Remember, we are here to answer any queries, fears or concerns you have about becoming a donor in confidence, please give us a call on 020 8240 4480, drop us an email info@aclt.org
Your community needs you, and we do not want you to miss this opportunity, simply because you do not understand the simplicity of giving blood and how valuable you are. ‘HEROES WANTED!
Thank you for your support.
Kind Regards
Beverley De-Gale OBE and Orin Lewis
ACLT Co-founders
Please note: General good health. Age to register and donate blood is 17-65 years. Age to register as a bone marrow donor with the NBS's (British Bone Marrow Registry) is 18-49 (staying on the register till your 60th birthday). If you have Sickle Cell Trait (carriers) you CAN give blood.
DATES: Monday 3rd October to Monday 31st October 2011
London West End
Croydon
Birmingham
Leeds
Nottingham
Liverpool
Manchester
Bristol
Leicester
40 minutes of your time is all it will take to potentially save someone's life.
Please call 0300 123 23 23 to make an appointment
You should not give blood via the NHS Blood and Transplant if:
• You've already given blood in the last 12 weeks (normally, you must wait 16 weeks)
• You have a chesty cough, sore throat or active cold sore (although the end of a cold is OK)
• You're currently taking antibiotics or you have just finished a course within the last seven days
• You've had ear or body piercing, acupuncture or tattoos in the last 4 months. ( If your treatment was between 4 and 12 months ago, you must let the NBS know at your donation as an additional blood test will be needed)
• You have received blood or think you may have received blood during the course of any medical treatment or procedure anywhere in the world since 1st January 1980
• You've had a serious illness or major surgery in the past or are currently on medication.
Please discuss this with the clinical staff. The reason you're taking medicines may prevent you from donating
• You've had complicated dental work. Simple fillings are OK after 24 hours, as are simple extractions after 7 days
• You've been in contact with an infectious disease or have been given certain immunisations in the last four weeks
• You're presently on a hospital waiting list or undergoing medical tests
• Please wait 6 months after returning from a malarial area before giving blood
Please take note that all donors must have had a light snack or meal and drank a good glass of water or diluted juice prior to your donation.
If you would like to pick your own date and time to donate blood for the 1st time please call the NHSBT to book alternative dates and times on 0300 123 23 23 or visit their website www.blood.co.uk put in the post code of your home or place of work and you will be given details of blood sessions closest to either.
