Oxford students are unwilling to donate blood
The National Blood Service has stopped recuiting at Oxford University, due to a lack of support from students. Poor communications and low turn-out levels have been cited as leading factors in the decision to stop recruiting on campus. Student welfare representatives have called for greater awareness of blood giving across the University. Jenny Hoogewerf-McComb, OUSU VP for Women, said that she would look into re-launching a campaign.
“There is no reason for Oxford students to be more reticent in giving their blood than other universities. It really is so important to give blood. I will be in touch with the National Blood Service to coordinate our efforts.” The blood donor sessions were held at Oxford University until 2005, when the Blood Service was forced to cancel their sessions on campus due to poor attendance. There has been no problem of support at Cambridge.
A spokesperson for the National Blood Service said, “We did try and recruit student college reps who we could send posters to with details of the University sessions, but unfortunately there was poor support here.” JCR Welfare rep-elect for St Peter’s College, Cyrus Suntook, said, “I think students need to have greater sense of community. Most students are young and healthy, we should been keen to donate our blood.
Whilst Oxford students are often very busy, giving blood takes very little time and will save lives.” Medical students have added their voices to the call for increased awareness. Stephen Hibbs, a first year medic, said, “For many of us, university would be a place to find out about giving blood and getting involved. Even as a medic I’m not as aware as I should be.” The National Blood Service have encouraged students to get involved and donate.
Louise Coxon, the Service’s spokesman for Oxford, said, “Young people of today will become our blood donors of tomorrow. At the moment 17 to 21 year olds make up less than 10% of our donor base, a figure that we are keen to see increase.
“Rolling up your sleeve to give blood only takes about an hour out of your day, but by doing so, you could be helping a leukaemia patient get through their gruelling chemotherapy, or you could be helping someone who is under-going emergency surgery - the list is endless.” Jan Undery, college nurse at Christ Church, encouraged students to donate but advised them to check with their doctor that they are in good health first.
National blood stocks have fallen from a high of 50,000 pints at the beginning of February to a low of 38,000 pints at the end of April. Last Christmas, a nationwide radio campaign was launched to encourage blood donations.
3rd May 2007