NHS Blood and Transplant is urging people in Herefordshire to say #ImThere and start saving lives by registering as new blood donors during National Blood Week (19th – 25th June).

Last year, 2776 people in Herefordshire gave blood at least once. But new blood donors are crucial for ensuring there is the right mix of blood groups to meet patient need in the years to come.

Sickle cell disease is the fastest growing genetic condition in England and most common in black people, causing extreme pain, life-threatening infections and other complications such as stroke or loss of vision.

To get the best treatment, patients who receive regular blood transfusions for conditions like sickle cell disease, need blood which is closely matched to their own. This is most likely to come from a donor of the same ethnicity. Yet only 1% of current blood donors are black.

Mike Stredder, Director of Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, says: “Every day, blood donors from Herefordshire make a difference; saving people whose lives depend on blood. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents, surgery or during childbirth.

“Thanks to the generosity of our loyal network of regular donors, we can ensure that hospitals have the blood needed to treat patients and, as recent weeks have sadly proven, make certain our stocks are strong enough to respond to major incidents and emergencies.

“At the same time, there is an ongoing need for more young donors to safeguard blood donation for future generations. And it is vital our blood donors, reflect the diversity of the population because blood types vary across communities.”

Donating blood should take no more than an hour and each donation can save or improve up to three lives.

In general, as long as you are fit and healthy, weigh over 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and are aged between 17 and 66 (up to 70 if you have given blood before) you should be able to give blood. If you’re already a blood donor, why not look into whether you could become a platelet donor. One platelet donation can help up to three adults or 12 babies or children. You can donate platelets at a number of dedicated centres around the country.

To sign up as a new donor or book an appointment, visit: www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.

Mike added:?“Don’t worry if you’ve never given blood before and don’t know what blood group you are – you find out shortly after your first donation.

What’s important is that you register as a donor and book your first appointment to donate. By saying ‘I’m there’, you can save the life of someone else, while going about yours.”