NHS Blood and Transplant is asking people in the local area not to forget hospital patients when they’re making plans to enjoy the better weather.
With more sunshine and longer days, everyone will getting out and about more in their free time.
Donna Batty, Lead Donor Relations Manager for Yorkshire and the North for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We’re asking people to spring into action this Spring. This time of year is an important time to give, as stocks are often more vulnerable around public holidays, when people are busy getting out and about or going away for breaks. Giving blood now and in the next few weeks will also help boost blood stocks before people turn their attention towards England in the Football World Cup. Please don’t forget about those hospital patients who rely on blood donors to save their lives or keep them well.
“We need more than 7,000 people to attend a blood donation session every day to collect the amount of blood hospitals across England and North Wales need to treat patients. So go on, make an appointment to donate. All you need to do is visit www.blood.co.uk, find a local session and make an appointment.”
NHS Blood and Transplant needs people from all blood groups to donate, but O negative and B negative donors are particularly needed. O negative or “universal” donors can help patients with a different blood group, vital in an emergency when there may not be time for an immediate blood grouping test. B negative blood is also in demand as certain ethnic groups are more prone to certain diseases that require blood, like sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia and a higher proportion of these ethnic groups are Group B. B negative blood can be given to B negative or B positive patients.
Conditions including cancer, thalassaemia and sickle cell anaemia, accidents and problems in childbirth can all lead to patients needing vital blood transfusions. Patients may need a one-off transfusion or weeks, months or even years of treatment.
In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you are over 70, you need to have given blood in the last two years to continue donating.
For more information or to book an appointment visit www.blood.co.uk or contact 0300 123 23 23.
