Blood service is seeking donors from the Leamington area to cope with supply shortage

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed that 40 per cent fewer new volunteers came forward across England and North Wales to give blood last year compared to a decade ago.

Now, the organisation is calling for more people to help fill the gaps by starting to donate in Warwickshire.

This week is National Blood Week, which culminates with World Blood Donor Day on Sunday, and NHS Blood and Transplant has explained that 204,000 new volunteers need to come forward this year to keep the nation’s blood stocks at a safe level for the future.

Regular donations are crucial to saving and improving the lives of patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Last year in Warwickshire, 1,991 new volunteers came forward to donate blood for the first time and 11,846 people living in Warwickshire donated blood at least once last year, saving or improving up to three lives each time they did so.

Jon Latham, assistant director for donor services and marketing at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We simply can’t ignore the fact that there has been a stark reduction in the number of new donors coming forward – a trend seen across the world. While we can meet the needs of patients now, it’s important we strengthen the donor base for the future.

“If we don’t attract new people across England and North Wales to donate it will put more pressure on the ability to provide the right type of blood the NHS needs for patients in the future.

“If you live in Warwickshire and haven’t donated before, please help us reverse the decline in new donors. We run a number of sessions in the area. Please go to www.blood.co.uk, find out if you’re eligible to donate, register as a donor and book an appointment today.

Giving blood is simple and easy to do and will only take about an hour of your time.”