Overview

• Regional figures show thousands of O negative donors have lapsed: 5,463 in the North West, 4,303 in London and 2,420 in the North East have not given blood for over a year.
• Four bank holidays, Easter and half-term have driven donation falls over a six-week period, leaving stocks critically low.
• O negative blood represents just 8 percent of the population’s supply but fulfills around 16 percent of hospital orders due to its universal compatibility.
• England’s hospitals need more than 5,000 blood donations every day and must replenish supplies constantly because blood expires after 35 days.
• Donors can book online at blood.co.uk, via the GiveBlood app or by phone and are encouraged to fill slots at fixed donor centres during quieter weekday mornings.