1,400 fewer blood donors in Leeds
Around 9,800 dedicated donors regularly donated at Leeds Donor Centre last year - a drop when compared to 2019.
New figures have revealed, there were 1,427 fewer donors in Leeds gave blood during the height of the pandemic.
Around 9,800 dedicated donors regularly donated at Leeds Donor Centre last year, compared with over 11,300 the year before.
This mirrored the national picture in England which saw hospitals kept in good supply with blood during the pandemic by the smallest pool of donors in the 21st century.
Active donors at lowest level since 1996
Until recently the NHS intentionally relied on existing donors to fill the majority of appointments throughout the pandemic because they are far more likely to make a successful donation.
But this meant fewer appointments were available for new donors.
And this led to the community of active donors across the country shrinking last year to its lowest level since 1996.
Now, as life returns to normal and with fewer people donating regularly, the NHS needs new blood donors to play a crucial role in its recovery.
An unprecedented 100,000 new donors are needed nationally to register and donate blood by spring to achieve the largest ever annual recruitment drive and join the amazing 67,000 new donors who have already joined the club this year.
New donors are needed at Leeds Blood Donor Centre, 117 The Headrow, Forsyth Court, Leeds, LS1 5JW. Around 2954 extra appointments have been added at this Donor Centre in November to make booking your first donation even easier.
Around three quarters of a million people donated blood in England during the height of the pandemic – almost 40,000 fewer regular donors than the year before. This was the smallest pool of donors in the 21st century.
A new campaign launched by the NHS today will run for six weeks and include TV adverts and support from businesses and influencers to celebrate blood donors and their lifesaving role during the pandemic, urging others to join the club of dedicated and amazing donors.
There is a particular need to recruit more Black donors to help treat patients with sickle cell disorder, which is the fastest growing genetic blood condition in the UK and mostly affects Black people where ethnically matched blood is critical for treatment.
Also needed are new donors with O negative blood, which is the universal type and is often used for medical emergencies – 45% of new donors are likely to have O positive or O negative blood.
Critical crossroads for blood donors
Helen Duggan, Assistant Director of Donor Campaigns at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority. Through the most critical time of the pandemic this was achieved thanks to a loyal club of existing donors – the smallest of the 21st century.
“As hospitals catch up on routine care, we are facing a critical crossroads to meet the rise in demand for blood and are appealing for new donors in Leeds to step forward and join this amazing group of lifesaving people.”
Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery, and O negative blood is mostly used for emergency care. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives. In recent years there’s been a particular need for more Black donors, who are more likely to have the RO sub-type blood needed to help treat people with sickle cell.
To become a blood donor. Register today and book and appointment by visiting www.blood.co.uk.