Facts and figures
- 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lives yet only 3% of those eligible give blood.
- In 2023, 1.44 million blood donations were made by 785,000 amazing individuals.
- The NHS needs 140,000 new first-time donors this year.
- Sickle cell is the UK's fastest-growing genetic disorder, and many patients require regular blood transfusions. For the best treatment, patients benefit from blood transfusions from donors of the same ethnicity.
- To ensure the donor base reflects the diversity of patients, the NHS needs 12,000 new donors of Black heritage this year.
- O negative is the universal blood type, crucial in emergencies or when a patient's blood type is unknown. Although only 8% of the population has O negative blood, it accounts for 15% of hospital orders.
- There are 25 permanent blood donation centres across the country, with the most appointments for donors in Birmingham, Bristol, Leeds, Manchester, Sheffield, and London.