Call for people in Oxfordshire to donate blood and fill the gaps

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed that 40 per cent fewer new volunteers came forward across England and North Wales to give blood last year comapared to a decade ago.

And to mark the start of National Blood Week today (Monday), NHS Blood and Transplant has said 204,000 new volunteers need to come forward this year across the country, adding 3,210 new volunteers came forward to donate blood in Oxfordshire.

Jon Latham, assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We simply can’t ignore the fact that there has been a stark reduction in the number of new donors coming forward - a trend seen across the world.

“While we can meet the needs of patients now, it’s important we strengthen the donor base for the future.

“If we don’t attract new people across England and North Wales to donate it will put more pressure on the ability to provide the right type of blood the NHS needs for patients in the future.”

“Giving blood is an amazing thing to do. If you live in Oxfordshire and haven’t donated before, please help us reverse the decline in new donors. We run a number of sessions in the area, please go to www.blood.co.uk to find out if you’re eligible to donate.”

NHS Blood and Transplant also added 15,320 people living in the county donated blood at least once last year, saving or improving up to three lives each time they did so.

The ‘Missing Type’ campaign highlights that if not enough new people donate blood and these ‘types’ were to go missing in years to come, there wouldn’t be enough blood available when patients need it.

For more information or to book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23.