The NHS is calling for more under-35s to give blood as it is revealed that for the first time in five years, there are more donors over the age of 45 than under.

Older people now make up 51 percent of regular donors, overtaking 17-44-year-olds who had been in the majority since 2018.

The proportion of the youngest donors has shrunk, with only half as many 17-24-year-olds giving blood now compared with five years ago.

The Northern Echo: The NHS is calling for more under-35s to give blood

NHS Blood and Transplant has revealed the statistics as it calls for more younger people to become lifesavers in 2024 in the latest phase of its Giving Types campaign.

There is no better time for 17 to 35-year-olds to make a huge different to the NHS with minimal effort - by giving blood.

Tami Aderonmu, a 19-year-old student from Essex, donated for the first time just before Christmas at Bristol Donor Centre.

The Northern Echo: Tami Aderonmudonated for the first time just before Christmas at Bristol Donor Centre

Tami said: “Needles don’t really bother me but I still expected it to be scary. But it was the opposite.

“The staff are amazing and go the extra mile to put you at your ease when they know it’s your first time. And all the other donors looked like they were having the best day. It was good vibes all round.

“The process is straightforward. You answer a few questions, have the iron test and then sit back while you donate. It doesn’t hurt. It’s actually quite relaxing. And you get free snacks!

“I’m a donor for life now. To anyone who is unsure, I would say go for it, there really is nothing to worry about. And just think about who you may be helping. It’s a small act but one that can make a big difference to someone’s life.”

Tami’s donation was organised with ACSGiveBlood, an organisation which encourages students to become donors. 

She said: “After my donation I found out I have the blood type that sickle cell patients need. That made my Christmas! My mum is a doctor and has told me how important ethnically matched blood is for treating sickle cell. Sadly, she has lost family members to sickle cell. So it feels special to me that my blood can help others with the condition.”

Around 408,000 of the 798,000 people who regularly give blood are 45 or over and older donors are now in the majority in every region of England except for London.

Chief Executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, Dr Jo Farrar said: “Because lifesaving blood only has a short shelf life, we need to constantly collect it and need a steady stream of new donors.

“For the first time in five years, we have more donors who are aged over 45 than under, so it has never been more important for younger people to become lifesavers by giving blood.

“Giving blood feels great. In just one hour you can save up to three lives. Please register and book your first appointment today.”

NHS Blood and Transplant’s Giving Types campaign encourages people who give in big and little ways – such as giving up a seat on a train or raising money for charity - to consider becoming a blood donor.

The campaign particularly aims to recruit more donors of Black heritage as they are more likely to have the blood type urgently needed to treat people with sickle cell, which is the fastest growing genetic blood disorder in the UK.

Register as a blood donor and book your first appointment via the GiveBloodNHS app or at www.blood.co.uk.

There are appointments available at the NHS permanent blood donor centre in Newcastle Upon Tyne and across mobile sessions in North East.

The mobile locations you can donate at across the region this year, are:

North Durham

  • Consett, St Patricks Hall
  • Stanley, Quaking Houses Village Hall
  • Birtley, Barley Mow Village Hall

Durham

  • Durham, Indoor Bowling Club
  • Bowburn, Bowburn Community Centre
  • Spennymoor, Spennymoor Fire Station

East Durham

  • Houghton-Le-Spring, Houghton Sports Centre
  • Murton, The Glebe Centre
  • Peterlee, The Pavilion

Darlington

  • Darlington, Cockerton Club
  • Newton Aycliffe, Glow Venue Hire
  • Egglescliffe, Community Centre
  • Bishop Auckland, Bishop Auckland Fire Station

Middlesborough and Stockton

  • Norton, North Shore Academy
  • Stockton, Splash
  • Teesville, St Andrews Parish Hall
  • Middlesbrough, Riverside Stadium
  • Middlesbrough, Acklam Green Centre
  • Coulby Newham, Community Centre

The NHS are also encouraging all donors who have already booked an appointment to please keep to it.

They have also urged people to book further into the future if there are no appointments available currently as blood donations can still help to save lives then.