Doctors insist it is not an epidemic, but those of us who have fallen prey to the dreaded flu virus this winter would not hear anyone make light of it.

Not only has it ruined many a Christmas and new year celebration, but flu has left offices depleted and the elderly and vulnerable struggling to recover from lingering symptoms.

The National Blood Service is suffering too. Because many regular blood and platelet donors have been ill, the number of donations has dropped and stocks are running low.

A spokesman for the blood donation clinic in Deansbrook Road, Edgware, said: "Group O is very, very low. That's the main one because they can give that type to anybody."

A few weeks ago, the Times Series ran the last of a number of articles encouraging first-time donors to take the plunge and reminding people who have given once that it is important to keep up the good work.

We realise that there are people who for health reasons are unable to donate, but those who are able should. And now, more than ever, it is important to get yourself down to the nearest clinic and give yourselves up to the nurses who will not only ply you with tea and refreshments afterwards, but make you feel good about yourself too.

To bring the need for blood donations home, the National Blood Service went to the Royal College of Nursing's London headquarters to show nurses that there is more than one way to save a life.

RCN secretary Christine Hancock led the way on Wednesday last week when she gave blood and others soon followed.

"As a nurse, I know that donating blood is one of the most valuable gifts you can give," she said. "Your blood is especially valuable if you're a typical blood type such as group O as it is needed in such large quantities."

The event was organised by the RCN and the Colindale branch of the National Blood Service.

NBS spokesman Rakesh Vasishtha said: "The purpose of joining forces with the RCN has been to replenish blood stocks after Christmas when there is often a lull. However, this year the situation has been exacerbated with large numbers of donors being unable to donate due to the current flu virus."

Mr Vasishtha added that the service urged regular donors to return to sessions as soon as their health allowed.

"Christine Hancock's support could not have been better timed and the message it really sends is simple: the time to give blood is now," he said. "Please give blood."

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