Blood donation

That this House notes the importance of blood donation as highlighted in World Blood Donation Day last week which saw nine times the normal amount of donators being registered in Northern Ireland; notes that this life saving donation takes a mere 30 minutes and is available to anyone of good health between the ages of 17 and 65; further highlights that currently in Northern Ireland 94 per cent of those eligible to donate do not do so; encourages those who are able to take steps to register online and donate blood at the next available time to ensure that there is blood available for those with cancer, those in car accidents, those in surgery or a mother in childbirth; and thanks those who take the time to donate regularly recognising that their selfless action in donating once potentially is used in three life saving actions.