General Chat

Blood shortage sparks urgent call for O negative donors


AN URGENT appeal is being made today for O Rh negative (O-) blood donors to help restore stocks depleted over the Christmas and New Year holidays.

Stocks often dip around holiday time when donors miss their sessions - with the added complication of this year's norovirus outbreak forcing 50% of O- donors forced to cancel their appointments.

High demand cancelled out the increased stocks of blood ordered by hospitals to cover the extended holiday period - with 50% more O- issued on Christmas Eve 50% and on 35% New Year's Eve than on an average day.

Jon Latham, NHS Blood and Transplant assistant marketing director, said: "We would like to urge all O- donors to walk into their most convenient donor session to give blood to help rebuild stock levels.

"We are always grateful to donors who respond to calls such as this and appreciate that in doing so they do give up some of their precious time. Waiting times may vary in the next few days as we try to accommodate all donors. Demand for blood never stops and O- donors can help to ensure healthy blood stocks in the upcoming weeks, by giving blood now and in the next few days."

Approximately 7% of the population has O- negative blood but they are commonly known as 'universal donors' because their blood can be given to patients with a different group. This can be vital in emergency situations when there may not be time to carry out immediate blood group testing.

Healthy blood stocks are vital to ensure that patients undergoing surgery and receiving treatment for cancer and blood diseases, such as leukaemia, continue to get the transfusions they need.

Anyone aged between 17 and 65, weighing more than 50 kg (7 stone 12lbs) and in general good health can potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. There is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

To book an appointment or to find your nearest local blood donor session call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk

I cant give blood anymore as I now take medication. I'm O-Neg & if I could I would donate again.

Last time I donated was 18 years ago when I gave my 10th pint.

Times flown so fast :-0

Thats me Sue ..The secret reptillian blood line ;-) (google) LOL
Will get in touch with them tommorow
Thanks
xxxx

I'm also O neg , but after many years of donating ( over 40 donations ) I had to stop after I had a stroke and started taking a cocktail of medicines.

I did give plasma about two years ago to see if it was affected by the medicines, but the powers that be reckoned that it was.

I'd love to donate again , but alas I cannot.

Thanks Neubie :-D

I didn't realise how rare it was being an A pos myself...lolol

You are both special people ;-) ;-) ;-)

xx

im O neg.

will phone them tomorrow.x

Well, I shall take a bow on behalf of 'im indoors (O Rh Neg and 67 in 3 weeks' time). He went up to London to-day to give blood and was not only given a Silver Award Certificate in recognition of 25 donations of blood, but a lovely badge (metal inscribed with 2 silver interlocking hearts on a red background with the number 25 beneath them), which he can wear with pride.

Off to google the secret reptillian blood line, hee hee >>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Bless him <3

Thank you Suzanne :-D

Alisdair I think you have certainly done more than your share

x

I agree, Sue, Alisdair should get a certificate and badge for his dedication to helping others. Well done Alisdair and I'm very sorry you had to stop donating for health reasons and hope you are well now. <3 :-)

Well I have learnt something new, did not know it was universal..

Unfortunately I am too old and on medication, or I would have loved to.

Now wondering if any of my children are O Rh Negative, never could get to grips with it, only to know that if I had my son 10 yrs earlier I probably would have not have been able to have any more children.

Carol

Well done Mr. Wend :-D :-D :-D :-D

Carol I think all children should have their blood type noted as soon as possible. I asked for my childrens' when they were young as we kept a medical booklet for each of them.

I don't think anyone who is a match should feel bad if they suffer health problems.

x

My three children are common like me - O Rh Pos :-D

Pah you are common *steps backwards* ;-) <3

Agree whenever they were ill never seemed to get around to asking. Likewise I don't know which of my parents were Rh, negative.

Carol

mmmm - what to do with these 3 mouldy tomatoes I've just found in the fridge?

:-D :-D :-D

yes we RH NEG are universal, but we can only receive our own RH NEG blood in an emergency ...we can give,but we cant receive :-D

Wend, put them to good use on my other thread :-D

I hope other people are sticking this up on their networking sites. It would make a difference in donors wouldn't it?

Yep am RH O Neg,,,,,,,,,always carry a card.

Supercrutch...I'm A+ as well, so if you're ever stuck give us a bell-you get free painkillers in it :-D

lolol C I'll keep you to that ;-)