The Winter Appeal: NHSBT’s top 10 reasons to give blood this winter

Wanting to donate this Christmas? Here’s NHS Blood and Transplant‘s top 10 reasons why your donation is essential…

 

Blood is needed 365 days a year.
Your blood can end up in any hospital across the country, regardless as to where you donate – and you get notified as to when your donation’s used, too!

“You get this text saying “your blood has been used” and it just makes you feel good inside, it personalises it.” said regular donor Mark Ashby, 48 from Poole.

December and January are the months in which missed appointments are at their highest.
Make and keep a date to donate!

Festivities can get in the way of people donating.
600 appointment slots have been left unbooked at the Poole Blood Donor Centre for this December. This equates to 600 pints of blood, which can save the lives of up to 900 people.

The rise in colds and flu over the winter months can prevent donation
To maintain healthy blood stocks, donors need to be healthy, too!

Travelling over Christmas can get in the way of donating.
With more people on the roads,  there is an increasing number of road collisions and fewer people donating. Your donation could save a life.

Poor weather conditions can prevent donation.

Hospitals are in need of more blood in the run-up to Christmas and New Year.
Even if you donate in Dorset, your blood can help prevent shortages of blood countrywide.

Weekly, the entire nations blood supply needs to be replenished.
Donations can only survive for up to 35 days, which means a constant supply of blood is required, regardless of the time of year.

Additionally, the national platelet supply has to be replaced every few days.
Visit NHSBT’s platelet website here for more information.

Rare blood types tend to be in shorter supply over the Christmas period.
All blood types are in constant supply, but if you’re A-, B- or O-, your donations are needed now more than ever.

If you would like to donate over the Christmas period, call 0300 123 23 23, book online via www.blood.co.uk or visit the donor centre at The Dolphin Centre, 190-196 High St, Poole, BH15 1SX.

See more on this story here:
The Winter Appeal: How your blood donation can save a life this Christmas
Do people know enough about giving blood?