Urgent appeal for blood donors this Friday

Local blood donation organisers are making an urgent appeal to book appointments for this week's donation session, with over 30 slots still available for this Friday.

The three-day blood donation drive, taking place at Hope Church in Newtown from July 16-18, has seen strong community response with appointments on Wednesday and Thursday now almost fully booked. 

However, organisers are keen to fill the remaining Friday appointments to maximise the life-saving impact of the session.

"We're delighted with the response from the community so far, but we really need people to come forward for Friday's session," said a spokesperson for the blood donation service. "Every donation can potentially save up to three lives, so those remaining appointments represent a significant opportunity to help patients in need."

The appeal comes at a particularly crucial time as blood stocks for type B Negative are currently running lower than desired levels. Donors with this relatively rare blood type, which is found in approximately two per cent of the population, are especially encouraged to attend if possible.

Type B Negative blood is particularly valuable as it can be given to patients with both B Negative and B Positive blood types, making it an essential component of hospital blood banks. The current shortage means that patients requiring this blood type for surgeries, cancer treatment, or emergency care could face delays.

All blood types are welcome at the donation session, with each donation taking approximately 45 minutes from arrival to departure. The process includes a brief health screening, the donation itself which takes around 10 minutes, and a short recovery period with refreshments.

Regular blood donation is particularly important during the summer months when stocks often run low due to holidays and changes in routine. The service relies entirely on voluntary donations to meet the constant demand from hospitals across the region.

Those interested in donating can book appointments online or by calling the blood donation service. First-time donors are especially welcome, with full guidance provided throughout the process.

The blood donation session is taking place at Hope Church in Newtown, with appointments available throughout Friday 18th July. Donors are reminded to bring photo identification and to ensure they have eaten and drunk plenty of fluids before their appointment.

For more information about blood donation eligibility and to book an appointment, use this link: https://donorportal.wales.nhs.uk/clinicsearch?Location=Newtown&utm_source=MyNewtown&utm_medium=DECContent&utm_campaign=RNEWTOWNT&lang=en-GB