A TEAM of charity workers has pledged its support for the Daily Echo’s Mine’s A Pint campaign by signing up to become blood donors.

The Youth Cancer Trust is a national charity based in Bournemouth, which provides free holidays and support for young people with cancer, aged between 14 to 30.

Charity support worker Georgina Hillman said they were pleased to be working together with the Daily Echo to encourage people to donate blood and platelets.

“We are very aware of the treatment that these young people go through and how much they rely on people giving blood donations which is why we wanted to support the Mine’s A Pint campaign,” she explained.

“Like many people, I didn’t realise blood has a short shelf-life, which is why there is such a need for people to give blood regularly, so we want to help raise public awareness.”

Charity founder Brenda Clark added: “We have all decided that as a charity supporting young people with cancer, it is important that we all give blood to help with the treatment for cancer patients. Bournemouth and Poole especially need donors so please come and join us and give blood. It’s simple, it doesn’t hurt and you will be helping save lives.”

Please enrol today by ringing the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk.

Don’t forget to quote the Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76.

Youth Cancer Trust

Six teenagers are diagnosed with cancer every day in the UK. More than one in three people will develop some form of cancer in their lifetime and may need blood.

Blood and its components are a vital resource necessary to treat those cancer patients who may suffer from anaemia and bleeding following chemotherapy or radiotherapy.

Bone marrow which produces blood cells in the body can be adversely affected by chemotherapy or radiotherapy resulting in a low production of blood cells which can lead to anaemia or bleeding.

A cancer patient may require regular transfusions, typically two or three uYouth Cancer Trunits at a time, until their bone marrow recovers enough to make their own cells.

More blood donors are needed in our area so hospital demand can be met for blood to treat a variety of patients.