HC Deb 06 May 2004 vol 420 cc1806-7W
Tim Loughton

To ask the Secretary of State for Health how many children donated blood at mobile blood units visiting schools in 2003–04. [169481]

Miss Melanie Johnson

The age limit for first time donors is 17 to 60 years, although regular donors can continue to give blood until the age of 70 as long as they continue to meet all the donor selection criteria.

During 2003–04 across all donor sessions: 20,776 donors aged 17 (as at 1 April 2003) made a total of 30,344 donations; and 22,826 donors aged 18 (as at 1 April 2003) made a total of 32,309 donations.

The national blood service (NBS) actively targets 17-year-olds. In March 2004, the NBS launched a new direct marketing campaign targeting 17-year-olds. This mailing encourages individuals who have just turned 17 to pre-register to give blood. So far, 3,266 17-year-olds have signed up as blood donors because of this campaign.