THE number of people signing up to become blood donors is continuing to soar since the Daily Echo launched it’s Mine’s A Pint campaign.

A spokesman for the National Health Service Blood Transport (NHSBT) said they were delighted with the latest figures “So far we’ve recruited some 287 donors within the Bournemouth, Poole and Christchurch area compared to 247 last year at this same point.”

Now local businessman Kevin Thomas, from Southbourne, is keen to raise awareness of blood platelet donation too.

“I used to donate blood and I was asked if I would consider becoming a platelet donor as my blood type is A positive which means I can donate to any blood group,” he said.

Most platelet donations are given to patients who are unable to make enough platelets in their bone marrow, such as patients with leukaemia.

“My sister-in-law is now undergoing treatment for leukaemia so the importance of donating platelets has really been brought home to us.

“Although it’s unlikely that any of the platelets she receives are mine, it’s nice to know that I’m helping to replenish the stocks”.

Just before Christmas Kevin was also asked to donate to a woman who needed a specific match for platelets.

“I was one of only four people in the country who was a match so it meant her bone marrow transplant could go ahead,” he said.

Kevin hopes his story may inspire others to consider platelet donation.

“It only takes a small amount of time to donate and yet it could give somebody many more years of life so as far as I’m concerned it’s a no brainer.”

Donation helps 12 children

PLATELETS are often life-saving and one donation can help up to three adults or even 12 children.

You do not have to have given blood before – you need to give a small sample of blood to determine if you have a high enough platelet count.

Your sample is assessed which takes about eight weeks. Your gender, height and weight is also taken into account.

Platelets can only be stored for a few days so regular and frequent donors are in great demand which is why platelet donors are asked to attend at least eight to 10 times per year.

For more information about giving blood, visit blood.co.uk or call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23 quoting the Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76.