20 Oct 2009Scottish football stars urge fans to give blood

Football Clubs News | Football Supporters News

Hibernian skipper Chris Hogg and Heart of Midlothian vice-captain Marius Zaliukas have highlighted the need for new blood donors in Scotland.

Both players are encouraging fans of the Edinburgh football clubs to support the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) this month.

The SNBTS said that blood supplies can drop by 20 per cent over the half-term holiday period in October, placing increased emphasis on the need for new donors.

Zaliukas and Hogg were due to visit the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre to raise awareness of the issue today (October 20th).

"There is an urgent need for new donors here because although everyone can receive blood, only five per cent of the population donate," Heart of Midlothian's Lithuanian player added.

Hogg, who has made over 100 appearances for Hibernian since joining the club from Ipswich Town in 2005, added that it could "help save or improve someone's life" if more football fans come forward to give blood.

Written by Mark Thompson

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