Now we all know how important it is for hospitals to have blood available to them for using when saving lives, but how many of us actually donate blood? Not many. Out of everyone who would be eligible to donate blood around only 5% actually do! Only 5%! Blood is needed for so many different things, from general surgery to helping premature babies survive.

The top 10 uses of blood (from the NBS website)

23% is used in general surgery
15% is used in General Medical
13% goes to heart and chest surgery
11% is used for anything to do with bones and bone disease
9% is used given to those with blood diseases
8% is used in accident and emergency
Joint 7th place – 6% for anything to do with kidneys, and 6% for newborns and children
4% for intensive care
3.5% is used during pregnancy and childbirth

It’s such a worthwhile thing to do, by just donating once you could help save and make a difference to so many lives.

As I’m championing this cause, I’m obviously a ‘donator’, and I went last night again. For those of you who are scared of needles or worry that it’s hurts – there’s really no need. I’m a total chicken and I can do it! The first time I went I actually held the bag of my blood afterwards. Which thinking about it now, is pretty weird and quite surreal.

On a serious note though, it really doesn’t hurt and the nurses are great and they’ll do everything they can to put you at ease and make sure you’re comfortable. It doesn’t take long at all, on average it only takes 10-15 minutes to actually donate and you get squash and choccy biscuits afterwards so it can’t be bad! If you do happen to feel faint afterwards, the nurses are very attentive and won’t let you leave until they sure that you’re ok.

After having a relative who needed repeated blood transfusions, I know the difference it can make, and I’m eternally grateful to those who donate blood. They helped someone I care about deeply, so I want to do the same.

So go on, why not give it a go? You’ll feel so good about yourself afterwards knowing that you’ve helped make a difference.

Do something really amazing. Give blood.