People urged to give blood this December

Two-year-old Henry Alderson has a rare condition and needs regular blood transfusions

People are being urged to give blood this December to ensure hospitals can continue to treat patients over the festive season.

NHS Blood and Transplant is asking donors in the city to book an appointment to donate before Christmas if they have not already done so, and to keep their appointment if they have already made one.

Donors who need to cancel their appointment are being asked to give at least three days’ notice so the slot can be opened up to someone else.

Demand for lifesaving blood doesn’t stop for Christmas. Many children and adults will need transfusions over the festive period as treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth or an accident.

All blood groups are being asked to make and keep their lifesaving appointment in the run up to and over Christmas, but vulnerable groups like O negative, B negative and A negative platelets are particularly important. If you are one of these blood groups please try your best to keep your appointment.

It is also important donations come from across the country’s diverse population, as some disorders are more common in certain ethnic backgrounds and patients need to receive well matched blood. People from the same ethnic background are more likely to have matching blood types.

Richard Shortland, Head of Donor Marketing Operations, said: 'Blood stock levels can dip over the busy festive period as Christmas shopping, celebrations and extended public holidays mean giving blood can slip off to-do lists.

“We need our loyal donors more than ever at this time of year to help us meet increased demand from hospitals for lifesaving blood over the festive period.

“Please make and keep a date to donate in December. If you need to cancel please give us at least three days’ notice so we can open up the appointment to another donor.

“It is quick and easy to make, view and change appointments at www.blood.co.uk or via our mobile phone app.”