World Blood Donor Day
Today is World Blood Donor Day! Blood donation saves millions of lives every year and helps with the recovery and health of patients who have illnesses or injuries, complex operations or childbirth problems.
Why give blood?
Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.
Why do the NHS need you to give blood?
The NHS need new blood donors from all backgrounds to ensure there is the right blood available for patients who need it.
NHS need:
- Nearly 400 new donors a day to meet demand
- Around 135,000 new donors a year to replace those who can no longer donate
- 40,000 more black donors to meet growing demand for better-matched blood
- 30,000 new donors with priority blood types such as O negative every year
- More young people to start giving blood so we can make sure we have enough blood in the future
Who can give blood?
Most people can give blood. You can give blood if you:
- are fit and healthy
- weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs and 25 stone, or 50kg and 158kg
- are aged between 17 and 66 (or 70 if you have given blood before)
- are over 70 and have given a full blood donation in the last two years
Find out more about giving blood and the process at: blood.co.uk