Fewer delays for donors

If you have travelled to a country affected by West Nile Virus (WNV) you can now give blood immediately on your return, thanks to the introduction of a new test. Previously, donors had to wait 28 days after their return before they could donate.

The risk period for WNV is between 1st May and 30th November and affects travellers returning from USA, Canada, Italy, mainland Greece, Romania, Macedonia, Turkey, Albania, Israel and some areas of Russia.

The test will be carried out during the risk period on donations when less than 4 weeks have passed since the donor's return from an affected area. If you have been unwell or diagnosed with WNV since your return, please call us on 0300 123 23 23.

Important target met

Cambridge now has over 100 much-needed new platelet donors, thanks to a campaign to sign up new donors in the area.

Demand for platelets is rising, so a target to recruit 100 new donors was set and a campaign launched at our Cambridge centre, back in December.

With the help of local media coverage, almost 400 volunteers came forward and 114 of those volunteers have now successfully become platelet donors.

Mary Townsend who relies on platelets to help treat her illness, attended our launch. She says,” Last year, out of the blue I was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, and within a week was put on a course of treatment. I received over 20 units of blood and eight platelet transfusions. It’s easy to assume that blood and platelets are only given to people in emergency situations, in surgery or who are anaemic, but in fact mostly they are given to cancer patients. I never knew that I’d need platelets, but because of other people’s generosity, I am alive and well today.”