Call for more men to be blood donors
NORTH East men are being urged to start 2019 with a simple act which could help save car crash victims and treat cancer patients.
New figures have revealed nearly 100 more women than men became New Year blood donors in 2018.
Now NHS Blood and Transplant is urging men in Newcastle to match women ane make becoming a blood donor their New Year’s resolution.
Figures show last year 210 women in Tyne and Wear who registered in January became blood donors, compared to only 122 men – despite men being more likely to have blood which can be used for some products.
Men’s blood can contain fewer antibodies against red and white blood cells because women often make these antibodies during pregnancy.
This means male blood is often more suitable for creating blood products used to treat patients. Men also generally have higher iron levels than women, so they are less likely to be deferred from donating due to low haemoglobin.
Evie Campbell has diamond blackfan anaemia, a rare blood disorder which means the body does not produce its own red blood cells.
The seven-year-old from Alnwick is given regular blood transfusions at the RVI to help treat her condition.
Her mum Rebecca says: “Evie’s illness has been quite limiting. She carries an infusion pump around with her six days a week, 24 hours a day.”
Rebecca is full of praise for people who give blood and help her little girl live as normal a life as possible.
She added: “I never thought about blood donation or even knew anything about it until I was in the position where my child needed it to keep her alive.
“When you are in a situation where your child needs something so vital to help them live it really makes you think.
“I am so grateful to everyone who has donated blood so far to Evie, it really does make a difference.”
Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It is vital more men start donating blood because their blood is used to provide life-saving products like plasma and platelets – to save victims of burns, car crashes and treat to patients with cancer.
“We are incredibly grateful to all our female donors in Newcastle who are vital in providing lifesaving blood to those in need but we need men to catch up with recent recruitment because their blood can have different characteristics which can make it important in certain situations.
“It is more likely we can use men’s blood to stop bleeding after injury or surgery.”
More than 200,000 new donors are needed every year across England to replace those who can no longer donate regularly. To make an appointment, call 0300 123 23 23, use the GiveBlood app, or go online at www.blood.co.uk