125 blood donors gather at JW3 to mark World Blood Donor Day
'The blood donated at JW3 is enough to save up to 187 lives, which I find quite incredible,' said the centre's chief executive Raymond Simonson
One hundred and twenty-five people gathered at north London’s JW3 on Sunday to donate blood while practising social distancing.
The Jewish community centre’s main auditorium was transformed into an NHS blood donor centre during World Blood Donor Day.
JW3 chief executive officer Raymond Simonson described the response to the event among the local and Jewish community as overwhelming.
“Thank you to everyone who came down to give blood yesterday and special thanks to all the incredible NHS staff and JW3 volunteers who made the day possible. The blood donated at JW3 is enough to save up to 187 lives, which I find quite incredible,” he said on Monday.
“As a long-time blood donor myself, I was delighted that all 125 spaces available for our blood donor event were snapped up so quickly, and that so many more people contacted us in the days leading up to it asking if they could be on a waiting list,” he added.
Speaking at the event, NHS donor care supervisor Matthew Best thanked all those who “came out in this distressing time to donate.”
You can read coronavirus safety advice for blood donors here.
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