NHS Blood and Transplant is urging anyone considering becoming a blood donor to make 2023 the year they save lives as new figures reveal around 235,000 people who signed up to give blood last year are yet to make their first donation.
During 2022 more than 37,600 people in the North West registered with Give Blood but only 10,037 of them have taken the next step and attended an appointment, meaning three in four are yet to do so.
The first ever amber alert on blood stocks shortages during October sparked a huge response from the public wanting to help and led to nearly 8,000 people in the North West registering over the four weeks.
Only one in five has donated so far.
There is an urgent need for more donors of Black heritage as they are more likely to have the blood type needed to treat sickle cell patients, the country’s fastest growing genetic blood disorder.
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David Rose, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We always need new people to join our amazing community of lifesaving blood donors and help meet the needs of patients right now and in the future.
“If you are one of the more than 37,000 people in the North West who registered last year but are yet to attend an appointment, or you’re thinking about signing up to donate, please make 2023 the year you save lives.”
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