Help us keep blood stocks healthy during the World Cup

3 June 2010

Don’t let the excitement of the World Cup stop you from saving a life. Seven thousand units of blood a day are needed to meet demand and NHS Blood and Transplant ( NHSBT) is appealing to the public to plan their appointments around match fixtures so they can still support their team and give blood.

“During the World Cup in 2006 blood stocks fell by almost a fifth and hit their lowest level in the summer months for five years,” said Jon Latham, NHSBT’s Assistant Director of Session Strategy and Marketing. “We want to avoid a similar drop this year and call on all existing and new donors to plan ahead and do their bit for NHSBT’s ‘Team Red’.”

During the action of the qualifying rounds NHSBT is keen to ensure that donors who are due to give around the time of the tournament keep their appointments. Anyone who has been thinking about donating is also urged to take the opportunity and sign up to give blood.

“We are expecting football fever to grip the nation but it isn’t just the teams that need your support,” said Jon. “Blood transfusions are only possible because of volunteers. Whether you are a regular blood donor or thinking about doing it for the first time – we need you.

“Some blood groups, such as O Rh D negative and B Rh D negative, often suffer a dip in the summer and this may prove more significant this year. Donors from black and minority ethnic communities are particularly needed in order to help maintain desired levels of some blood groups which are less common in the UK population, such as B Rh D negative.

“So we are encouraging regular donors to make their appointments as soon as they are invited.

“We also want new donors to mark the event by joining our ‘Team Red’, and going online or calling us to make an appointment at a session near them.”

The timings of many of the games at lunchtime, mid-afternoon and early evening mean that they often coincide with the busiest times at blood donor sessions. Therefore donors are encouraged to make every effort to attend at other times away from the matches when the sessions may be quieter. If they can’t make it along to their usual venue, they are urged to look at donating at alternative venues.

Jon said: “You don’t have to miss that crucial match by giving blood. Chances are there is more than one session near you. Just pick a convenient time and place then, whatever the result, you’ve helped save a life.”

Blood donors can donate three times a year. The process takes around an hour - with the actual donation taking about ten minutes.

Donated blood is used not only in accident and emergency situations but also for patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia.

To become a donor you need to be aged 17 - 65, weigh more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and be in general good health. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years. To book an appointment call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

Notes:

How much blood is required in your region?

Region	No. units of blood used by hospitals in region each week
South East (Berks, Kent, Sussex, Surrey)	5290 units
London , Home Counties and East	7056 units
East Anglia	1534 units
North East	2215 units
Yorkshire	3397 units
East Midlands	3619 units
West Midlands	3935 units
South & South West	6228 units
North West	5179 units

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