Give the best gift of all this Christmas
It is always a challenge to collect the right amount of blood to meet patient needs over the festive period, so with Christmas falling on a weekend this year, creating an extended bank holiday, we need to plan carefully.
There are very specific blood group requirements for the period between Christmas Eve and New Year. So we are having to book specific time slots now for the donors with these blood groups to ensure that their donations reach hospitals in time. We’re asking these donors, if they can, to book an appointment. If we do call you, we would really appreciate it if you could find the time to donate.
Also, from now until 23rd December we need to make sure that we have a steady supply of blood, so if you haven’t done so already, please make an appointment to give blood in the next few weeks. After all, the gift of life is the most precious gift you can give! All blood groups are important, but we’re appealing particularly to O-neg, B-neg and A-neg donors to make an appointment, and those with rare blood types.
Find your nearest session here or call 0300 123 23 23. You can also download the app by searching ‘NHSGiveBlood’ in the app store.
Ask a friend to donate this New Year
We are asking all of our loyal blood donors to encourage a family member or friend to pledge to give blood in 2017. New Year’s Resolutions are typically about giving up, but we’d like more people to give. Our committed donors are already aware of the value of giving blood and platelets, but just three per cent of the eligible population actively give blood. This means that we don’t have enough new donors coming forward to provide the right mix of blood to match patients’ needs, and to replace people who can’t donate anymore.
Please spread the word, and encourage someone you know to take up this life saving habit!