Lincs: More blood donors are needed as volunteer numbers drop

To mark National Blood Week, from Monday 8th to Sunday 14th June, NHS Blood and Transplant has explained that 204,000 new volunteers need to come forward this year across England and North Wales to keep the nation’s blood stocks at a safe level for the future.

Regular donations are crucial to saving and improving the lives of patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery 3,556 new volunteers came forward to donate blood for the first time in Lincolnshire last year, five per 1,000 of the estimated number of people between the ages of 17 and 70 living there, 31 per 1,000 people are active donors in Lincolnshire and 22,264 people living in Lincolnshire donated blood at least once last year, saving or improving up to three lives each time they did so.

NHS Blood and Transplant needs new donors to fill the gaps left by existing donors who are not able to give blood at this time and to ensure that we have the right mix of blood groups to match patients’ needs.

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.”

“We know that people’s lives have got busier over the last decade.”

“People are working longer hours, commuting further, spending more time online and have less time of their own, despite more options of how to use it. Good causes are also competing increasingly for people’s attention and time.”

If you are 17 or over, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to find out if you are eligible to donate, register as a blood donor and to book your appointment.