The NHS has issued an urgent call for military veterans across England to come forward and give blood.
There is a particular need for donors with O negative blood type, and veterans who already know their blood type are urged to book now. There is also a particular need for more donors of Black heritage to help treat patients with sickle cell.
O negative blood is vital and in high demand as it is given to all patients in emergency situations and when blood type isn’t known. Currently O negative donors make up just 8% of the total donor base, yet these incredible donors give 15% of all blood issued to hospitals due to the high use of this blood in emergencies.
The NHS also needs at least 12,000 additional donors of Black heritage to help meet the need for 250 blood donations per day to treat patients with sickle cell with the right ethnically matched blood and reduce the use of O negative blood for sickle cell treatment.
Hospital demand for O negative blood has remained much higher since a cyber attack last month which impacted several major London hospitals. The attack impacted the hospital’s ability to cross match patient’s blood and has increased reliance on vital O negative stocks.
At the same time, summer is always a more challenging time with big events like the Euros and the upcoming Olympics, and people going on holiday, meaning donation can fall off the to-do-list. Changeable weather and unexpected hotter days can lead to an increase in people unable to give blood due to a lack of hydration or lower iron levels.
Mark Chambers, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant says:
“We urgently need O negative donors to book an appointment to donate. We’re especially appealing to military veterans who already know they have the life-saving O negative blood type. We call these vital donors our ‘first responders’ and urge more veterans to come forward and join our volunteer force.
“We have around 50,000 appointments to give blood to fill each week. Currently there are around 45,000 appointments still available to book between now and September. Most appointments can be found at our 25 donor centres in major towns and cities, especially in London.
“Giving blood is quick and easy and each donation saves up to three lives. Male donors can donate up to 4 times per year, and 3 times a year for females.”
Every minute the NHS needs three lifesaving blood donations to play a vital role in saving the lives of babies and mums after childbirth, fighting cancer, treating conditions like sickle cell and those injured in accidents.
To find your nearest centre and to book an appointment, go online to blood.co.uk, use the GiveBloodApp or call 0300 123 23 23.