Giving blood saves lives. The blood you give is a lifeline in an emergency and for people who need long-term treatments.

Which blood types are in demand?

Some blood types are in higher demand from hospitals than others. For example, it's estimated that around 8% of people have O negative blood, but O negative makes up 13% of requests from hospitals. This is because anyone can receive the red cells from O negative donors. So O negative red cells can be used in emergencies or when a person's blood type in unknown.

Sometimes we need to target specific blood types to increase stock levels. That's why we sometimes contact regular donors with the particular blood type we need, and ask them to give blood.

How blood is used

Blood or the components of blood are used to treat patients with medical conditions such as anaemia, cancer blood disorders, and those having surgery. Blood is made up of a number of components, including red blood cells, platelets and plasma. Each of these can be used to treat many different conditions. Blood is usually separated into its individual components or parts, so a patient can be given the particular component they need. This makes the most of every blood donation, as the components in one unit of blood (or one donation) can be used to treat different patients.

Every blood donation can save or improve up to three lives!