Give the gift of blood this Christmas

THIS CHRISTMAS more than 200,000 blood donors are needed across the UK to give a very special gift and help hundreds of thousands of patients.

Across Devon there are 2,000 fewer donors now than in 2012, according to BBC Radio Devon.

Last year 1 in 5 blood donor appointments were missed over the festive period putting NHS Blood and Transplant’s critical operation under unnecessary pressure.

NHS Blood and Transplant is calling for more people across England and North Wales to make time this Christmas to give a gift only they can give and make a blood - or platelet - donation.

Jon Latham, NHS Blood and Transplant Assistant Director said: “Blood stock levels can drop dramatically over the busy festive period as Christmas shopping, celebrations and extended public holidays mean giving blood slips off the nation’s to-do lists.

“At this time of year many people want to give something more than material gifts. A blood donation truly is the gift only you can give and with one single donation you can save or improve up to three lives.
“Don’t worry if you’ve never given blood before -now is a great time to sign up and start giving.”

Around 210,000 whole blood donations will be needed over the coming six weeks to supply hospitals across England and North Wales treating patients with cancer and anaemias, after accidents or childbirth complications, and during surgery.

And over the festive period 12,500 platelet donations are needed to help treat patients with cancer, serious blood disorders and those who have undergone transplants.

Every blood donation is vital, but over winter months NHS Blood and Transplant particularly needs to ensure supplies of rarer blood groups O Rh Negative, A Rh Negative, B Rh Negative and AB Rh Negative as these are most vulnerable to shortfall.

It’s also important blood donations represent the country’s diverse population. Some rare blood groups and some blood disorders are more common among ethnic communities. For certain conditions, for example sickle cell anaemia, it is beneficial for patients to receive blood from the same ethnic background.

While 14% of people living in England and North Wales are black, Asian or minority ethnic, only 4% of active blood donors are from these communities.

This year NHS Blood and Transplant faces extra pressure as Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall ahead of a weekend, raising concerns fewer donors than usual will get around to making life saving donations during the busy festive period.

To book an appointment to donate and give the gift only you can give, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323 to find your nearest session.

It is also easy to book through mobile apps for Windows, Android and Apple devices. To download the app, search 'NHSGiveBlood' in the app store.