News Release Page Title

14 December 2005

DRIVE FOR LIFEBLOOD

A new drive for blood donations has been launched.

The Driver Licensing Division of DOE Driver and Vehicle Licensing (DVLNI) has joined the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service in a joint initiative aimed at saving lives in Northern Ireland.

Each month DVLNI will process a total of over 25,000 provisional driving licence applications and driving licence renewals and along with each renewal, a special leaflet encouraging people to drive safely and a leaflet encouraging drivers to donate blood will be enclosed.

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.''

The Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service, Dr Morris McClelland said that in Northern Ireland 94% of the eligible population still do not give blood and as Christmas approaches it is vital that more people donate blood."

Launching the Join the drive to save lives leaflets are Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVNLI and Dr Morris McClelland, Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. At 17 years of age you can obtain a driving licence, and also begin to give blood for the first time and save lives. At the other end of the scale, you can continue to donate until you are 70 - the age at which you qualify for a free driving licence. We are very appreciative of such a huge amount of help from DVLNI and hope this will drive up the total number of blood donors in Northern Ireland". The leaflets feature BBC sport presenter Stephen Watson, a registered blood donor and also a recipient of blood. Stephen 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"

NOTES TO EDITORS:

For further information on the NI Blood Transfusion Service contact: Paul McElkerney, Donor Recruitment & Organization Manager, or Charles Kinney, Donor Services General Manager, Lisburn Road, Belfast BT9 7TS. Tel. 028 9053 4664 or e-mail: paulmce@nibts.n-i.nhs.uk

Further news media information contact DOE press Office tel. 028 9054 0003.

Caption for picture - Launching the "Join the drive to save lives" leaflets are Brendan Magee, Chief Executive of DVNLI and Dr Morris McClelland, Chief Executive and Medical Director of the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service.

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