Word of a brand new initiative, started by University of Birmingham Water Polo captain Dani Leith, is currently spreading across campus. After becoming aware of the NHS #BakeDonate campaign, and discovering the lack of Birmingham blood donors between the ages of 17 -24, Leith formed the idea of #SportsDonate – a collective effort encouraging University sports teams to give blood.
Leith’s own Water Polo team were the first to donate, around 20 members, most for the first time, heading down to the Birmingham Blood Donation centre on New Street. This initial success has inspired Hockey, Women’s Cricket, and Cycling teams all to follow suit.
Leith notes that “one donation can save up to three lives, meaning that UoB Water Polo will go on to help around 60 people”. She also has long-term aspirations for the campaign, trusting that it will provide “a great way to help people start donating, something they can hopefully carry on for a long time”.
The campaign will continue after the upcoming Easter holidays. For more information on Blood Donation within the University, see University of Birmingham BloodSoc’s Facebook page (https://www.facebook.com/pages/University-of-Birmingham-Bloodsoc/242204749249200?fref=ts), or if you’d like to contact Dani regarding a donation, you can contact her on danileith@hotmail.co.uk.
