THAMES Valley Air Ambulance (TVAA) has made an urgent appeal for O Negative
The charity is urging those who can to donate amid warnings of a national blood shortage of the universal blood type.
A shortage means that the charity’s ability to carry blood on-board its emergency response vehicles would be affected.
Millions of lives are saved through blood donation every year and celebrates those who give blood to help others.
Donated blood is used to treat patients suffering from blood loss as well as other emergency medical care in its response.
The charity uses a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service alongside its fleet of vehicles, and was only the second such service to carry blood on board its vehicles.
Last year the charity trialled the use of “whole” blood as part of the Study of Whole Blood in Frontline Trauma (SWIFT) initiative.
Crews currently carry red blood cells and plasma, which are easier to store and have a longer shelf life than “whole” blood.
The initiative saw them equipped with whole blood, which contains platelets– the part of the blood which aids clotting.
Back in May, it also announced that it is expanding its current headquarters in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, further to bring critical response cars closer to major road networks.
This year the charity, which gives lifesaving care to critically ill and injured people, treated its 10,000th patient since it became an independent healthcare provider in 2018.
It has been called out to nearly 35,000 incidents in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, since it was established in 1999, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Adam Panter, Chief Operating Officer at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said:
“When someone is bleeding heavily and time is of the essence, our crew can give them the blood they so desperately need, right at the scene.
“Last year, we gave blood to 96 critically ill or injured patients across the community we serve– almost two patients a week.
“But we can’t perform this lifesaving intervention without those who donate blood in the first place. If you’re O negative and able to give blood, please do so.
“You could help save a life.”
More information about NHS blood donation is available via: nhsbt.nhs.uk
More information about supporting local air ambulance charities is available via: tvairambulance.org.uk/support-us
