Help save lives by giving blood

The NHS Blood and Transport team is encouraging firms to book an event in their workplace to allow employees to sign up to the service, find out their blood type and make a date to donate.

Any organisation with more than 300 employees can host a recruitment event while smaller firms will be able to support the team in other ways.

Jo Walker, NHS blood and transplant’s marketing and business development manager for the north, said: “Every time someone donates a unit of blood, their donation saves or improves the lives of up to three people. Blood donations are precious. Regular blood donors in Leeds have already helped to save thousands of lives and we cannot thank them enough.

“Unfortunately, a number of these donors may no longer be able to donate in the future, due to health or other reasons, so we need local businesses to come forward, invite us into their workplace for a recruitment event and help us to ensure patients in Leeds always get the blood they need.”

Donated blood can be used in transfusions for patients undergoing major surgery and emergency treatment, but also for patients with different types of cancer and blood disorders. The blood and transport team collects 1.8 million units of blood each year.

Most people aged between 17 and 66 can become a donor, providing they are fit and healthy and weigh more than 7 stone 12 lbs.

To register as a donor, or to find out more about holding a recruitment event, visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.

Alternatively, people can download the NHSGiveBlood app on Android, Windows or Apple devices.