Two second year University of Liverpool Medical students recently won a competition to design and implement a new NHS Blood and Transplant promotional campaign that will raise awareness and encourage blood donation amongst the local student community.
Every year, the NHS needs to make sure there is the enough blood available for patients, and during the COVID19 pandemic they have been facing extra challenges to keep providing hospitals with the blood, plasma, and platelets they need.
Sophia Parslew and Archisha Marya were chosen as winners to work as on the campaign, and they have planned a number of activities beginning in September that will encourage students to sign up as blood donors, and to ensure existing donors continue donating whilst at university.
The campaign coincides with the launch of a new and modern blood donation centre in Liverpool city centre, and has a particular focus on raising awareness amongst the key target audiences that include male, O negative and Black heritage donors, where they are currently experience shortages.
Events planned include a student bake-off and poster competitions with prizes for the winners, podcasts, social media takeovers, information webinars, and much more.
Sophia said “We are so excited to be leading this campaign to increase blood donation from students, and hope our activities have a positive impact”
Look out for Archi and Sophia, along with the NHSBT team, at the Liverpool Guild of Students Welcome Fair on 23 September for an opportunity to find out your blood type, take a selfie, pick up your own blood donation mascot.
Archi said: “Please look out for the actvities around campus and get involved with the competitions and events and feel free to ask us any questions. One blood donation can save up to three lives. Let’s save lives together”