85% rank giving blood and organs as the best way to make a difference
The NHS want people to register as blood or organ donors
Donating blood or organs are the most important things you can do to make a difference to someone else’s life, according to new research.
In December 2021, 2,189 adults in England took part in a survey ranking altruistic acts in which they were asked: ‘When it comes to making a real difference in people’s lives, which of these do you think are the most important things that someone could do?’
Giving blood or donating organs were found to be the two most popular ways that people felt they could make a real difference to others lives, with 85% choosing one of these two options.
- 42% of people chose organ donation as the most important
- 43% of people said giving blood was most important.
People who took the survey said the reason they chose these options was the fact it could save or improve another person's life.
To ‘help the NHS’, believing that donation was the ‘right thing to do’ and that it ‘feels good’ to do something for someone else, were among other answers.
In 2020 – 2021, 3,391 people across the UK had their lives saved due to 1,180 people donating their organs after death, and 132,172 new people became blood donors in 2021.
One organ donor can save or transform up to nine lives through organ donation, and even more by donating tissue. Blood donations can save or improve up to three lives.
NHS Blood and Transplant are calling on people to take the steps to be part of a positive impact.
Beginning a social movement, encouraging people to share their stories, and spread awareness using the hashtag ‘#ThisIsAmazing’.
Instead of giving up on New Year’s resolutions, they’re suggesting switching the resolution to becoming a blood or organ donor could help save someone’s life.
Helen Duggan, Assistant Director of Marketing and Creative Services at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “New Year is a time when lots of people make resolutions to make a change for the better.
“Many of these resolutions don’t last longer than a few days or weeks and many feel disheartened when they fail.
“Instead, we want to highlight the simple ways that people can feel good by making a positive change and help to save lives – by donating blood or registering as an organ donor.
“We’re heartened to see the results of this survey which shows altruistic giving is still a top priority for people and as we begin a new year we hope that feeling of giving will continue to shape our communities.”
How to give blood or become an organ donor?
Giving blood: You can register and book and appointment by calling 0300 123 23 23, downloading the GiveBloodNHS app, or visiting blood.co.uk.
Organ donation: You can register your organ donation decision at organdonation.co.uk, or call 0300 123 23 23. Users of the NHS app can also use this to check, update or register their decision.
Or visit: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/how-you-can-help/donate/