A NEW television advertisement aimed
at recruiting more blood
donors was launched today, featuring the voice of Sharpe star
Sean
Bean.
The advert shows a young woman on a
train and explains that she is
about to save someone's life.
Viewers then see shots of an operation
taking place and Bean is
heard saying: "Yesterday she gave blood".
At present only 5-6 per cent of the
eligible population gives blood,
and the advertisement is part of a wider campaign to attract
more
people.
The campaign compares ordinary everyday
activities with the act of
donating blood.
Photographs
Press advertisements include photographs
of people saving a
parking fine, saving time by just catching a bus, saving money
in a
supermarket and saving a goal at a football match. This is
contrasted with a blood donor who has just saved a life.
Wimbledon goalkeeper Neil Sullivan was
helping to mark the
campaign launch by meeting two young patients who have received
life-saving transfusions.
Junior health minister Baroness Hayman
said: "Every day 10,000
units of blood are needed by hospitals in England and Wales.
Recruiting new blood donors, and encouraging repeat donations,
is
crucial to the work of the NHS.
"I cannot stress how important
it is for more people to become
regular blood donors. It takes an hour of your time, just two
or three
times a year, to become a lifesaver."
Anyone aged 17-60 who is generally fit
and healthy can give blood.
A hotline number for people wanting
to enrol as donors has been
issued by the National Blood Service: 0345 711 711.
One of Sean's lines from the blood donor
ads:
"This woman is about to save someone's
life...Yesterday she gave blood...
Do something amazing today...Call 0345
711 711 today. Please".