News
Giving runs in your Blood - new partnership campaign
25/06/2021 00:00, In Blog / Club Notice Board /
Welsh Athletics delighted to become an official community partner of the Welsh Blood Service
-'Giving Runs in Your Blood' campaign launched to get runners' blood pumping at donation centres across the country.
Through its 'Giving Runs in Your Blood' campaign, runners across Wales are being urged to support blood donation as part of their training programme and make a lifesaving difference to patients in need. The new partnership will see blood, platelets and bone marrow donation promoted at Welsh Athletics' upcoming national championship events. Blood donations play a vital role in saving lives each day, with donations supporting a range of treatments from helping accident victims or patients with blood cancers to helping mothers and newborn babies during childbirth. With well over 100 running clubs and 13,000 active members in Wales, it is hoped sign-ups from the running community will help the Welsh Blood Service meet the 350 blood donations it needs to collect every day to supply hospitals across the country. To coincide with the campaign's launch, runners can visit the Welsh Blood Service website to find a range of heart-shaped running routes spread across several Welsh cities and towns or create their very own routes to share.
Alan Prosser, Director at the Welsh Blood Service, said: "We're thrilled to be working with Welsh Athletics and Run 4 Wales. They say you never regret going for a run and we know the same goes for giving blood which is why together, we hope to inspire runners across the country in helping us reach a new audience of potential donors.
"With the Tokyo Olympics just around the corner, there has never been a better time to get behind this campaign. Whether you're a seasoned runner or just digging your trainers out of the back of the cupboard, get involved by running our heart-shaped routes and coming along to your nearest blood donation session."
‘Welsh Athletics are delighted to become a community partner of the Welsh Blood Service and I’m sure our many clubs, running groups, and their members across Wales will be keen to support their vital work. As the largest participation sport in Wales, we can play our part in ensuring that more people sign up to make donations of life saving blood and plasma.'
James Williams, CEO
Staff members Hannah Pretty and Darran Williams are already regular donors and are keen advocates, encouraging more staff to consider donating regularly too.
"My parent both work in the NHS, and I feel like if i've got blood that I can spare that will make a big difference to someone else, then I should do my bit and donate." says Hannah
