New donors needed in Leicestershire as part of biggest ever blood donor recruitment drive to help NHS recover
People in Leicestershire are being urged to join a growing club of new donors stepping forward to help the NHS recover this winter, as it is revealed that 9,629 fewer donors in the East Midlands gave blood during the height of the pandemic.
Around 6,907 dedicated donors regularly donated at Leicester’s Blood Donor Centre last year, compared with 8,309 the year before*. This mirrored the national picture in England which saw hospitals kept in good supply with blood during the pandemic by the smallest pool of donors in the 21st Century.
Until recently the NHS intentionally relied on existing donors to fill the majority of appointments throughout the pandemic because they are far more likely to make a successful donation – a vital measure to make every donation count while social distancing reduced available chair space.
This meant fewer appointments were available for new donors. Alongside the natural lifecycle of blood donors retiring every day, this led to the community of active donors shrinking last year to its lowest level since 1996.
Now, as life returns to normal and with fewer people donating regularly, the NHS needs new blood donors to play a crucial role in its recovery. An unprecedented 100,000** new donors are needed to register and donate blood by spring to achieve the largest ever annual recruitment drive and join the amazing 67,000 new donors who have already joined the club this year.
New donors are needed at Leicester Blood
Donor Centre, Mansion House, Ground Floor.
41 Guildhall Lane, Leicester, LE1 5FQ.
Around 1900 extra appointments have been added at the Donor Centre in November to make booking your first donation even easier.
Around three quarters of a million people in England donated blood during the height of the pandemic – almost 40,000 fewer regular donors than the year before*.
Demand for blood dropped by 27 percent at the start of the pandemic as hospitals reduced elective care. As a result, collections were adjusted and reduced by 21 percent. This ensured that blood stocks remain above the six day target throughout.
Demand for blood is now back at pre-pandemic levels and may increase in the coming months as hospitals continue
A new campaign (This Is Amazing - NHS Blood Donation) launched by the NHS today will run for six weeks and include TV adverts and support from businesses and influencers to celebrate blood donors and their lifesaving role during the pandemic, urging others to join the club of dedicated and amazing donors.
Helen Duggan, Assistant Director of Donor Campaigns at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority. Through the most critical time of the pandemic this was achieved thanks to a loyal club of existing donors – the smallest of the 21st century.
“As hospitals catch up on routine care, we are facing a critical crossroads to meet the rise in demand for blood and are appealing for new donors in Leicestershire to step forward and join this amazing group of lifesaving people.
Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery, and O negative blood is mostly used for emergency care. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives. In recent years there’s been a particular need for more Black donors, who are more likely to have the RO sub-type blood needed to help treat people with sickle cell.
Become a blood donor. Register today and book and appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk,
Or download the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23.