The NHS are appealing to the public to make an appointment to donate blood. For the first time in history they have reached amber level which means, supplies around the country are critically low.
What Blood Type Are They Desperate For?
They are really in need of O negative and O positive donors.
Around 13% of their blood donors have O negative blood. In comparison, 35% of donors have O positive blood.
O Negative Blood Type (O-)
This is often often referred to as the ‘universal blood type’ because people of any blood type can receive it. This makes it vitally important in an emergency or when a patient’s blood type is unknown.
O positive Blood Type (O+)
O positive is the blood type most commonly requested by hospitals and so they need a steady supply. This is the most common blood type and around 35% of blood donors have it.
Anyone with an Rh positive blood type (O+Rh) can receive O positive red blood cells – so that’s A positive, B positive and AB positive as well as O positive.
Who Can’t Donate Blood?
You can’t donate blood if you:
- have had most types of cancer
- have some heart conditions
- have received blood, platelets, plasma or any other blood products after 1 January 1980
- have tested positive for HIV
- have had an organ transplant
- are a hepatitis B carrier
- are a hepatitis C carrier
- have injected non-prescribed drugs including body-building and injectable tanning agents. You may be able to give if a doctor prescribed the drugs
There are other medical conditions that may mean you can’t donate.
Visit their health, eligibility and travel section for a full list, or give them a call on 0300 123 2323 to check if you can donate.
What Happens On The Day
Often, people don’t quite understand what happens when they go to give blood, their imagination can run away to negative thoughts which can prevent them from making an appointment.
Have a watch of this video to see what process you would go though when you arrive to give blood.
Blood donation sessions take place at Christchurch Baptist Church in Welwyn Garden City and you can register your interest and book your appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk.
*** Due to traffic, you may have to join a queue to book your appointment but please keep trying, they still need you***