Luton residents to try and help break record for most blood donations given in one day
A charity is trying to rally 50,000 blood donors across six continents to all donate blood on the same day
Today, the world record for the most blood donations given in one day is trying to be set as the NHS says donors are urgently needed to replenish low stocks.
Who Is Hussain, a social justice charity, is trying to rally 50,000 blood donors across six continents to all donate blood on the same day in order to set the record.
The campaign is being supported by NHS Blood and Transplant, which, in particular, wants to raise awareness among ethnic minority communities where blood donation rates are low.
What parts of the UK are taking part?
Locations in the UK taking part include London, Leeds, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen, and Bedford's very own Luton.
Already more than 38,000 people around the world have signed up to take part and according to the charity, all the 600 appointments available in the UK have been booked out.
In Luton, all 50 slots were booked out in a matter of weeks and Beds-based Mohamed Jawad Gulam Hussein who is involved in campaign said: "I think it's brilliant.
"We filled those spaces as soon as they were open ... and it just shows the keenness and the willingness for everyone to come forward and help save lives."
He added: "One donation saves up to three lives, so straightaway the Luton community has saved 150 lives by just turning up and giving their blood."
And though those interested in donating blood won't be able to take part in the scheme today, Mr. Hussein said they can always do it at a later date: "after dealing with the hangover from covid, there's always a need for people to come forward and help with the donations.
"What they would need to do, is go to https://www.blood.co.uk/ and book an appointment directly with the NHS."
What does the NHS need?
The NHS Blood and Transplant said: "stocks are low so we urgently need donations to keep up regular supply, and not fall into amber alert”.
An amber alert occurs if stocks fall to two days' worth of blood, and can mean the cancellation of planned operations.
It also is said to need nearly 400 new donors a day to meet demand and would like to sign up 40,000 more black donors for better-matched blood as well as 30,000 with priority blood types such as O negative.
What's the current record?
The current record is 35,000 units of blood donated in a single day, set in India in 2020.
The #GlobalBloodHeroes campaign aims to save 150,000 lives around the world, according to Who Is Hussain.