NHS bosses are urging men in Bury to make becoming a blood donor their New Year’s resolution.
The plea comes as new figures show that first-time donors are significantly more likely to be women than men.
During the same period last year, 555 women in Greater Manchester registered became blood donors, compared to only 316 men.
Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s vital that more men start donating blood because their blood is used to provide life-saving products like plasma and platelets – to save victims of burns, car crashes and treat patients with cancer.
“We’re incredibly grateful to all our female donors in Greater Manchester who are vital in providing lifesaving blood to those in need. But we need men to catch up”.
While male and female blood is almost identical, slight differences can make male blood more suitable for treating certain conditions, such as platelets and drops to treat people with dry eye conditions
To book an appointment to give blood, call 0300 123 23 23 or visit: www.blood.co.uk.
Comments: Our rules
We want our comments to be a lively and valuable part of our community - a place where readers can debate and engage with the most important local issues. The ability to comment on our stories is a privilege, not a right, however, and that privilege may be withdrawn if it is abused or misused.
Please report any comments that break our rules.
Read the rules here