Facts and figures
- 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lives yet only 3% of those eligible give blood.
- In 2023, 1.44 million blood donations were made by 785,000 amazing individuals.
- The NHS needs 140,000 new first-time donors this year.
- Sickle cell is the UK's fastest-growing genetic disorder, and many patients require regular blood transfusions. For the best treatment, patients benefit from blood transfusions from donors of the same ethnicity.
- To ensure the donor base reflects the diversity of patients, the NHS needs 12,000 new donors of Black heritage this year.
- O negative is the universal blood type, crucial in emergencies or when a patient's blood type is unknown. Although only 8% of the population has O negative blood, it accounts for 15% of hospital orders.
- There are 25 permanent blood donation centres across the country, with the most appointments for donors in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and London.
Give the best gift this winter: give blood. You can register and book an appointment at blood.co.uk, by calling 0300 123 23 23 or on the NHS Give Blood app.
In Gibraltar contact the GHA Blood Donation Nurses, Audrey and Elaine. Email blooddonations@gha.gi and you will be given a registration appointment at St Bernard's Hospital, between 9.30 and 11.30am.
