Give someone another summer - Don’t forget to donate blood

NHS Blood and Transplant is reminding donors to give blood throughout the summer to help those who need it most.

Regular donations are vital because stocks are more vulnerable at this time of year. People get distracted by holidays, sporting events and the warmer weather, and stocks can fall.

Only around 29.6% of appointments at Manchester’s Donor Centre in Norfolk Street and around 22.2% of appointments at Plymouth Grove are currently full over the next six weeks.

NHS Blood and Transplant is now asking people to make an appointment to give blood in Manchester over the next few weeks.

Each donation can save the lives of up three people.

Donations are needed through the year because NHS Blood and Transplant cannot stockpile blood. It can only be stored for 35 days. Hospitals in Greater Manchester rely on blood being available 365 days a year.

The blood you donate is used to treat critically ill patients, whether they have had cancer, a blood disorder, been in an accident, or if they lost blood in surgery or childbirth.

Jon Latham, Assistant Director of Donor Relationship Services at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We really need our loyal donors in Manchester over the summer because while stocks can dip, hospital patients need blood all year round.

“If you can make and keep an appointment you will be doing an incredibly important thing – helping us to save and improve lives. So, it is important to keep your appointment if you can or change it as soon as possible. The cancelled slot can then be reallocated to someone else.”

He added: “Nationally, we need 135,000 new donors each year to replace those who can no longer donate for reasons such as ill health, pregnancy or foreign travel, and to ensure we have the right mix of blood groups to match patient needs in the future.”

Make and keep your appointment to donate at Manchester Donor Centres, Norfolk St, Manchester M2 1DA or Plymouth Grove, Manchester M13 9LL:

• Use the NHSGiveBlood app
• Call the Donor Line: 0300 123 23 23
• Visit: www.blood.co.uk