4,000 blood donations needed in time for Christmas across West Midlands

A campaign has now been launched to encourage people to give blood in the coming weeks.

This year, as Christmas Day and Boxing Day fall ahead of a weekend, there are worries that fewer donors than usual will get around to making life saving donations during the busy festive season.

Across the West Midlands there are over 50,000 registered blood donors.

In total, around 210,000 whole blood donations and 12,500 platelet donations will be needed across England and North Wales over the coming six weeks to help ensure hospitals have the stocks they need to treat patients. Last year one in five donors missed their appointments – putting NHS Blood and Transplant's critical operation under unnecessary pressure.

Shailesh Mistry, deputy marketing manager at NHS Blood and Transplant said: "At a time when everyone is thinking about the perfect gift for their loved ones, some people will be relying on one gift that really matters – the gift of blood.

"We're asking new and regular donors in the West Midlands to give blood this December. The gift of a single blood donation can save or improve up to three lives. Don't worry if you've never given blood before -now is a great time to sign up and start giving to help save lives this Christmas and beyond."

Health chiefs say every blood donation is vital, but over winter months there is a particular need to ensure supplies of rarer blood groups. In particular, O Rh negative, the universal blood group, is always in demand and A Rh negative, B Rh negative and AB Rh negative are the other rare groups most vulnerable to shortfall.

A single blood donation can save or improve up to three lives while every platelet donation helps up to three adults or 12 children. As blood has a shelf life of 35 days and platelets have a shelf life of seven days it is essential that stocks are continually maintained throughout the year, including during the festive period.

Officials also say it is important blood donations represent the country's diverse population. Some rare blood groups and some blood disorders are more common among ethnic communities. For certain conditions, for example sickle cell anaemia, it is beneficial for patients to receive blood from the same ethnic background.

While 14 per cent of people living in England and North Wales are black, Asian or minority ethnic, only four per cent of active blood donors are from these communities.

To book an appointment or to find out where your nearest session is being held visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.