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The Get Cereal team talk to Lorna Wyatt about giving blood

National Blood Donor Week is coming up. Lorna Wyatt talks about why it is important to give blood and gives us the facts.

In 2007, National Blood Donor Week will be held from 10-16 September. June 14th was World Blood Donor Day.
The criteria people have to meet to donate:

- Between the ages of 16 ' 70yrs old.
- Haven't had a tattoo recently
- Aren't pregnant
- Haven't recently given birth
- Do not have a serious heart condition
- Are not low in iron
- Didn't live in the UK for more than 6 months between 1980 and 1996

The Young Bloods is another name for our younger donors (16-25 years).

Everyone who is eligible to give blood is encouraged to do so as soon as they can, you can give blood when you're 16.

It doesn't matter if you're at school, attend TAFE or university, participate in a community service program or just want to experience how easy it is to directly make a difference to someone's life, we're inviting you to roll up your sleeve and also help spread the word to others - if you don't, who will?

This winter Australia needs more than 270,000 blood donations to ensure that hospitals have enough blood and blood products to meet the needs of patients.

The Winter Blood Challenge is about organisations 'big or small, business or social ' giving blood in healthy competition.

Currently, a little more than half a million Australian blood donors give just over 1.2 million donations. That half a million represent just 3.5% of the eligible donors! It is estimated around 14 million people are eligible.

To register for the winter blood challenge, make an enquiry or appointment, or get some more facts and information, people can call 13 14 95 or visit www.donateblood.com.au.

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