14/12/2005

DVLNI launch blood donation initiative

The Driver and Vehicle Licensing (DVLNI) have launched a new drive for blood donations in Northern Ireland.

The initiative, in conjunction with the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, will see a special leaflet encouraging people to drive safely as well as a leaflet encouraging drivers to donate blood, inserted with provisional driving licence applications and driving licence renewals.

Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVNLI said: "We are only too pleased to be able to help the Blood Transfusion Service attract much needed new blood donors.''

BBC sport presenter Stephen Watson, a registered blood donor and who is featured on the leaflet, said, "Blood donors do save lives. I know because 15 years ago they helped save my life. The most important drive you may ever take is that to a blood donation session."

Present figures show that in Northern Ireland 94% of the eligible population still do not give blood.

(MB/SP)

Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

14 June 2022
Call For Blood Donations Following Decline In Donors
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to come forward for blood donations, backing a call from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service's (NIBTS) appeal coincides with World Blood Donor Day and follows a decline in the number of new people giving blood.
15 May 2024
Health Minister Introduces New Electronic Blood System
Health Minister, Robin Swann, has launched a new electronic blood production and tracking system which will help improve blood safety and quality.
25 June 2010
Call For Lower Drink-Drive Limit
Local doctors are calling for the Stormont Executive to consider lowering the drink drive limit to "save lives". Following this week's Daíl legislation reducing the legal blood-alcohol level from 80 to 50mg, Northern Ireland doctors said today that the law should be changed here too.
21 May 2024
Swann To 'Carefully Consider' New Infected Blood Inquiry Report
Health Minister Robin Swann has committed to "careful consideration" of the newly published final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry. The Inquiry was established by the UK government to examine the circumstances in which people treated by the national health service were given contaminated blood.
28 November 2002
Patients warned after blood donor's CJD diagnosis
There are concerns that a small number of haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland and Scotland may have received blood products from a donor who later was diagnosed with variant Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (vCJD). Health agencies in Scotland have written to patients warning them that they may have been given treatments derived from the donor's blood.