Could you do something amazing today? Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and also for people who need long-term treatments. It is because of blood donors that so many people are alive today.
Why give blood?
NHS England blood service estimates they need over 6,000 blood donations every day to treat patients in need across England, so there is always a necessity for people to give blood. Statistics equate this to 1 in every 4 people needing a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. Each year they need around 200,000 new donors, as some current donors can no longer give blood. Around half of current donors are over 45, so there is an urgent need for young people (over the age of 17) to start giving blood, so they can make sure that blood stocks can be maintained in the future.
More donors are needed from all Blood groups and types however there is a particular need for blood from Black, Asian and minority ethnic communities so that there is a supply of certain blood types. 40,000 black donors are urgently needed to provide much needed blood donations for black patients with sickle cell disease to help provide life saving blood which provides the closest match to their own.
You can make an appointment today by calling 0300 123 23 23, signing up online or downloading the NHSGiveBlood app.
Essex is served by a range of community-based blood donation venues. These take place in various locations such as church halls, sports centre, mosques, football stadiums and hotels. The venues are usually visited 2 or 3 times per year, but this can be more often, depending on the number of local blood donors.
Some people are put off giving blood in the belief that it hurts, but it is no more painful than a standard needle prick. There are also myths about who can and can’t give blood with a lot of people believing that anyone on medication can’t donate. The reality is that the majority of medications will not affect your ability to donate blood, and this can be easily clarified by the blood donation service.
If you want to find out more about blood donation sessions near you, give us a call on 0300 500 1895, email [email protected] or drop us a text for information on 07712 395 398.
Sam
Information & Signposting Officer