8:10am Wednesday 16th July 2008
By Ylenia Gostoli
An Elstree-based charity is asking residents to attend its 41st blood donation session this Sunday in Radlett.
The Joely Bear Appeal was founded in 1994 by Leigh and Lisa Reinak in memory of their son Joel. He had died at age four after battling a rare form of liver cancer.
Since its inception, the charity has worked to provide facilities to make stays in hospitals more comfortable for young cancer patients and their families. It also provide grants for research into the treatment and detection of cancer in children.
Recognising the importance of blood in treating cancer the charity organises three blood donation sessions in the area each year, with the last drive seeing the 1,00th new blood donor to the National Blood Service (NBC).
NBS spokesperson Rebecca Khan said: "We are proud to be working with Joely Bear once again as they always pull out all the stops to promote the importance of giving blood.
"Blood donors are especially needed thoughout the summer months as people take their annual holidays and are generally distracted away from blood donation.
"We are asking people to please go along to this session and donate if you are eligible to do so."
The session will take place at Fairfield School Hall, Watford Road, Radlett, between 9.30am and 4.30pm. To be eligible, new donors have to be between 17 and 60 years of age, in general good health, and weigh no less than 7st 12lbs
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