I was joined by some of the amazing people who work in NHS Blood and Transplant on This Morning today, whilst two people gave blood live on air to show just how simple it is to do. It takes just 15 minutes to donate blood and each unit donated can help up to three people. It really is your chance to save a life!
It may come as a surprise to know that the NHS uses 7,000 units of blood every day and they need over 200,000 new volunteers to replace people who can’t donate anymore. As the transplant services say “You won’t miss it when you give it but patients could miss it if you don’t”!
There are of course strict guidelines on who can and can’t give blood to ensure that all the blood donated is safe to receive. I had hoped to donate this morning but was unable to as I had been in a malaria zone in March and can’t donate for another three months. Even if you out can’t donate this week, why not pick up the phone or register online and make an appointment for sometime in the future? One in four of us will need a transfusion at some point in our lives and if our turn comes we will be very glad that someone else came forward!
