Give blood in Liverpool this February to help cancer patients

NHS Blood and Transplant is urging donors in Liverpool to make and keep appointments to give blood and help cancer patients get the vital blood transfusions they need.

4 February 2018 is 'World Cancer Day' and many people don't know that over ½ the blood donated goes to help treat patients with cancer or leukaemia.

Blood transfusions are often an important part of cancer treatment because chemotherapy can reduce the number of red blood cells in the blood and make patients anaemic. Blood transfusions can relieve the symptoms of anaemia by increasing the number of red cells in the blood.

The UK population is getting older, and some diseases like cancer that require regular blood transfusions are associated with ageing, so the need for blood is ongoing.

There is continued high demand for O negative blood and A negative platelets, as these 'universal' blood types can be used safely with any patient and they are particularly valuable in accident and emergency situations.

Richard Shortland, Head of Donor Marketing Operations for Liverpool, said:- "If you've thought about registering but never got around to it, World Cancer Day is the ideal prompt to take action. It only takes a minute to sign to save lives. There are people in Liverpool desperately in need for of a transfusion.  New donors are always needed and you could help those who need blood as part of ongoing cancer treatment as well as those who need blood during emergency surgery or childbirth. Each donation can save or improve up to 3 lives. We look forward to welcoming new donors at our sessions in Liverpool this February."

There is a dedicated blood donor centre at:- Unit 6, 2 Moorfields on 53 Dale Street in Liverpool. Donor centres are bright and modern venues with free Wifi, with longer opening hours than community venues.

We particularly need more black donors as they are more likely to have the blood type needed to treat the increasing number of patients suffering from sickle cell disease. People from the same ethnic background are more likely to have matching blood groups.

► Make and keep your appointment to donate in Liverpool by calling the Donor Line on:- 0300 123 23 23 or visit:- Blood.Co.UK

► It is also easy to book through mobile apps for Windows, Android and Apple devices. To download the app, search:- 'NHSGiveBlood' in the app store.

Liverpool City Region Combined Authority Approves Budget

THE Liverpool City Region Combined Authority has agreed its budget for 2018/19.  Speaking about the budget, Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram said:- "This budget sets out how we will take our 1st steps towards achieving our vision for an ambitious, fair, green and connected City Region that works better together. Through devolution we are at the start of a journey that will see us transform our city region for the better, making decisions about our future ourselves, rather than going cap in hand to Whitehall or Westminster. We have already achieved a great deal, securing ₤900m through our devolution agreement, and almost half a billion pounds of additional government spending since I was elected metro mayor eight months ago. Transformational change takes time, but we are already starting to see benefits. Our projections show that by 2020 the investments we have already made will have created 2,000 extra apprenticeships, 5,000 more jobs and 25,000 new homes. Devolution does not give us a magic wand. We cannot undo the harm caused by years of government austerity overnight. But we can and will use the powers we now have to build the fairer, more just and prosperous city region that we all want to see."

In approving the budget, the Metro Mayor Steve Rotheram has confirmed that no precept will be levied on Council Tax bills this year; ensuring that for the year 2018/19, with no additional financial burden will be placed on residents within the Liverpool City Region.

Some of the key elements of the budget include:-

► ₤1.6m funding to support key mayoral priorities, including:- digital connectivity, the Mersey Tidal project and how we make best use of new bus powers for the benefit of the City Region economy.

► Commissioning a new ferry to cross the River Mersey.

► The budget also supports the establishment of the necessary capacity to enable the Combined Authority to deliver an investment fund that is already in excess of ₤1bn.