The Mayor of Brecon has completed more than seventy blood donations since his eighteenth birthday.

Councillor John Powell has just given his 76th blood donation to the Welsh Blood Service - enough for just over seven and a half people as the average human body contains ten pints of blood.

Hospital in Wales require 400 donations of blood every day for all of their patients.

Cllr Powell said: “The actual act of donating blood only takes five to ten minutes to do, but for someone in need, that blood would last a lifetime.

“Please take a minute to see when the Welsh Blood Service are next in the area and show your support by doing something incredible today and booking to go along to donate.”

Across Wales over 9,000 donations of blood and blood products are needed each month.

Despite the pandemic, donations are till needed daily by hospitals to treat patients with a range of conditions, including mothers and babies during childbirth, cancer patients receiving chemotherapy as part of their treatment, and patients involved in emergencies.

One donation has multiple uses as it can be split into three products - red cells, platelets and fresh-frozen plasma - meaning one donation can save or improve up to three adults or six babies lives.

Appointments are available to donate blood at over 54 locations throughout Wales in August.

Alan Prosser, the director of the Welsh Blood Service, said: “

“Every day around 350 donations are needed to help the 20 hospitals in Wales we supply.

“We’ve always had a great support from our donors but we’re hopeful that more people will consider becoming blood donors themselves.

“As a Service, we rely on the generosity of people living in Wales to provide vital donations to patients. By giving up just one hour of your time, you have a unique opportunity to make a difference to people in your community and beyond.

Additional safety measures have also been introduced at the donation sessions, social distancing guidelines are followed, all staff wear PPE and every item is cleaned between use.

Alan continued: “If you’ve never donated before, why not try something incredible this week – sign up to donate at one of the sessions in your local area and become a lifesaver.”

If you are aged between 17 and 66, book a lifesaving donation at: welsh-blood.org.uk or call 0800 252 266 today.