How to sign up as a blood donor

The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) relies on regular donors to ensure there are adequate blood supplies but also needs over 150 new donors to come forward every week. It is possible to start donating blood from the age of 17, yet only 6% of the eligible population in Northern Ireland donate.

Enrolling as a new blood donor is easy — just text BLOOD to 60081, call 08085 534 666, or visit www. nibts.org.

You can also drop into a local donation venue to donate.

The NIBTS website, Facebook and Twitter pages also have lots of information on blood and platelet donation, as well as details of all upcoming donation venues.