Potential new blood donors urged to come forward, to help save lives

A new campaign is urging people in Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes to consider becoming a blood donor, as NHS Blood and Transplant reveals that it needs over 140,000 people to donate for the first time this year.

Giving blood takes around an hour.  It’s easy and you’ll feel only a small scratch before the chance to have a drink and a biscuit, knowing that you have saved up to three people’s lives.

NHS Blood and Transplant is especially keen to attract donors from Black, Asian and other minority ethnic backgrounds.  Patients who need regular blood transfusions to stay alive, such as those with thalassaemia and sickle cell, need blood to be closely matched to their own, and some rare blood types are found only in these communities.

In one hour and five easy steps, you can help save up to three lives:

• When you arrive at your appointment, complete a health check questionnaire and drink 500ml (about a pint) of water.
• Have a chat about your health with a friendly member of the team to make sure it’s safe for you to give blood.
• Take a seat and donate – this takes about 10 minutes.
• Enjoy a free drink and snack while you rest for 15 minutes.
• You’re all done.  Feel good, knowing that your donation will help save up to three lives.

Dr Sanhita Chakrabarti, deputy chief medical director at Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes Integrated Care Board, said:

“You may well see adverts appearing locally, thanks to this new campaign to attract new blood donors.  I’d urge anyone who’s eligible to make time to give blood.

“To give blood for the first time, you need to be generally fit and well, and aged between 17 and 65.  Men can donate blood every 12 weeks, and women every 16 weeks.  Some other restrictions apply, and you can check these online before you register.

“We need donors of all backgrounds to come forward, especially as patients with some serious conditions rely on blood donations from people with a closely matched ethnic origin to their own.

“Most current blood donors are aged over 45, but we’d love to see more Millennials and Gen Z coming forward to give blood too!”

NHS blood donation teams visit places all over Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes on a regular basis, and there is a permanent blood donor centre in Luton town centre.  To find a session near you, or for more information about giving blood, visit blood.co.uk or download the free NHS Give Blood app.