A SURVEY has revealed that the blood donor service needs at least 4,322 Berkshire people to step up and give a pint in order to save lives.
Across the country, a total of a million people are needed, with a particular need for Black African, Black Caribbean and younger donors.
It is part of a new five-year strategy from NHS Blood and Transport, aiming at doubl the number of regular donors with the rarest blood types. This will ensure better matched blood types for patients in the future and reduce health inequalities.
Donors from a black African and black Caribbean ethnicity can help treat people with sickle cell, one of the fastest growing genetic blood disorder in the UK and mostly affects people of black heritage.
It requires regular transfusions – most often with the specific blood sub type Ro.
Most patients are children, and demand for Ro blood is projected to double by 2025/26.
Stephen Cornes, Director of Blood Supply at NHS Blood and Transplant said the service currently only met around half the demand for Ro blood.
“This means many sickle cell patients often receive less well-matched blood which, while clinically suitable, can pose a longer-term risk to patients who receive regular transfusions,” he said.
“We urgently need new Black African and Black Caribbean donors to come forward and donate blood.
“We carefully manage stocks to ensure we do not waste any precious blood. If you cannot get an appointment immediately it is because we have enough of your blood type right now. Please book for a later date or respond when we contact you.”
For more details, or to book an appointment, log on to blood.co.uk, download the GiveBloodNHS smartphone app or call: 0300 123 23 23.
