Blood stocks run low after the big freeze

Blood donors are needed; Liverpool Donor Centre on Dale Street; YouTube: Give blood television advert

Donors are being urged to give blood as the recent cold snap has led to a fall in supplies.

The NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is appealing for people to help rebuild the vital blood stocks, which has suffered during the cold weather as people could not make it to their appointments.

As supplies are now slowly picking up again, the NHSBT is particularly requesting for people who have O negative and B negative blood groups to come and donate.

Jon Latham, Assistant Director of Blood Donation at NHSBT, said: “O negative donors are typically known as the ‘universal donor’ as their blood can be given to patients with a different blood group.

“This can prove vital in an emergency
situation when there may not be time for
an immediate blood grouping test to be
carried out. Approximately 7% of the
population have this blood group.”

Students are also encouraged to give
blood with donor sessions at universities
and colleges proving a success and
allowing the service to collect much
needed blood.

Pam Prescott, for NHSBT, said: "University
sessions are usually well attended with
lots of students getting involved. It doesn’t
take long to give blood and you could end
up saving someone’s life."

With only 4% of the eligible population giving blood, The NHSBT is always looking for new donors.

Liverpool has its own permanent donor centre located on Dale Street in the city centre. For more information call in or ring 0151 227 1269.

Graph showing the decrease of blood stocks during the bad

weather. Source: www.blood.co.uk