NHS calls for an extra 200,000 blood donors as stocks run low

The NHS is calling for hundreds of thousands of individuals to donate blood, as supplies are running precariously low.

More than one million regular blood donors are needed for the health service to maintain its blood supply, officials have said.

However, less than 800,000 people donated blood last year, meaning just 2% of the population have sustained the whole of England's blood supply over the last 12 months.

Last year, a severe shortage of O negative blood triggered by a cyber-attack on London hospitals prompted officials to issue an "amber alert".

Due to a lack of donors, this amber alert is still in place.

NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) has warned that more must be done to avoid a “red alert”, which means that blood supply is so low that there is a threat to public safety.

It said there is a “critical” need for more donors who have the so-called universal blood type, O negative blood, which is needed for treatment in emergencies.

There is also a need for more black donors, who are more likely to have specific blood types which can help treat people with sickle cell disease.

NHSBT said that over the past year, England has seen an increased wave of blood donation registrations, including the largest ever increase in registrations from black heritage communities.

However, only 24% of those who registered have gone on to give blood, leaving 250,000 who are yet to make a donation.

Just 8% of the population has O negative blood, but it accounts for 15% of the blood used by hospitals and first responders.

Around half of people from Black Caribbean and Black African heritage have a blood subtype called Ro, which is used primarily to treat people with sickle cell disease, the country’s fastest-growing genetic blood disorder.

NHSBT chief executive Dr Jo Farrar said: “There are many thousands of people who donate regularly and help us keep patients alive. Thank you. You are amazing. You keep the NHS going and save and transform thousands of lives a year.

“Our stocks over the past 12 months have been challenging. If we had a million regular donors, this would help keep our stocks healthy – you’d truly be one in a million.

“Please book an appointment today, experience how good it feels to save lives, and come and do it again in a few months.”

Two-thirds of all blood collected is used to treat people who rely on blood transfusions, including people with cancer and those with blood conditions.

One family is backing the campaign for more donors due to their own experience receiving regular blood transfusions.

Four-year-old Isaac Balmer, from Hull, was born with hereditary spherocytosis – a genetic blood condition which causes red blood cells to break down faster than normal, leading to severe anaemia and other complications.

He receives blood transfusions every 12 weeks in order to stay healthy.

His mother, Jasmin, said: “It’s been a rollercoaster; Isaac’s haemoglobin levels fluctuate, and when they drop significantly, he becomes lethargic and jaundiced.

“But when he receives his transfusion, you see the colour return to his cheeks, and his energy levels soar before our eyes. It is incredible.

“During his transfusions, he refers to donor blood as ‘Hulk blood’ and imagines himself becoming stronger and healthier, but this wouldn’t be possible without the real life, everyday superheroes who keep Isaac and others like him alive, thanks to their regular blood donations.”

Health Minister Baroness Merron said: “The NHS is in urgent need of more lifesaving blood donors from all backgrounds.

"We are working alongside NHS Blood and Transplant to make donating blood easier than ever before, opening up new donor centres and making appointments available closer to home.”

“This National Blood Week, please register and book an appointment near you so the NHS can maintain its vital blood supply.”

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