NHS Blood Donation

27/09/2025

Not 1, not 2, but 3 REASONS for Mark to celebrate! 🙌

This week, Mark Randall donated plasma in Birmingham for the 40th time – his 100th donation altogether (after adding in previous blood donations).

Incredibly, he hit these milestones on his birthday. 🎂

What a legend!!

25/09/2025

"I’m Aliya, I have sickle cell anaemia Hbss. Before I began transfusions I was in hospital constantly due to sickle cell crisis. Being in hospital so frequently deeply impacted my mental and emotional health. I wasn’t able to live life like my peers.

"For the past 9 years I have had 8 units of blood every 6 weeks, you can only imagine how much blood I’ve received.

"I have to thank the real life superheroes who donate blood allowing people like myself to live a more fulfilling life by alleviating symptoms, and painful crises.

"Blood transfusions allow me some normality in my day to day life. It’s such a selfless act that is truly appreciated by myself and others."

Fighting sickle cell is in our blood. 🩸

24/09/2025

It’s Sickle Cell Awareness Month 🩸

Sickle cell is a painful genetic blood disorder that mostly affects people of Black heritage.

Every day, people living with sickle cell rely on blood transfusions to stay alive. For many, regular transfusions every 4 to 6 weeks, or monthly red cell exchanges, are the only way to manage symptoms.

For the safest treatment, patients need blood that’s very closely matched - often from a donor of the same ethnicity.

Learn more and sign up: https://ow.ly/zlhc50X1u2b

❤️ Fighting sickle cell is in our blood.

23/09/2025

“Blood and organ donation change lives - I’m living proof. After six years on dialysis, my transplant meant I could start looking forward again.”

Hakeem has experienced the life-changing journey of kidney transplant following years of dialysis, blood transfusions and treatment under NHS care - highlighting how both blood donation and organ donation can transform lives.

After arriving in Britain to study, Hakeem began feeling unwell with high blood pressure. Returning to Nigeria, chronic pain led to the discovery of kidney polyps that became so debilitating he couldn't eat or drink.

In 2005 he returned to the UK, settling in Birmingham, where he was treated for sickle cell anaemia. Despite his health challenges, he completed an MBA at Coventry University.

In 2007, his kidneys failed and he was put on dialysis.

"I was put on the transplant list but faced six years of kidney dialysis before I was offered a transplant. The phone call came just before Christmas in 2016 - a call that would change my life."

"I was so tired I couldn't work. Things were tough financially and everything was a battle. My wife had to keep things going. She and other family members offered to become donors but none were a match.

"I cried when I got the call. I'd been through this long journey of pain and drama. It was an incredible moment."

Hakeem now works as a project coordinator for the Hadiza Foundation, which raises awareness of kidney disease amongst the UK African Caribbean community.

22/09/2025

“I’m incredibly grateful to every blood and plasma donor, your kindness has given me and so many others the chance to live life fully.” ✨

Stories like Danielle’s are what it’s all about. The mum of 3 gets to see her boys grow up happy and healthy, because of the plasma medicine she received from donors.

After a routine blood test during her first pregnancy, Danielle, from Greater Manchester, was diagnosed with a rare bleeding disorder.

The condition - immune thrombocytopenic purpura – causes the immune system to mistakenly attack platelets, the tiny cells in blood that are essential for clotting. 💔

During each of her 3 pregnancies, Danielle received immunoglobulin every 3 weeks to calm her immune system, allowing her to safely carry to term. Without this intervention, Danielle would have been at much greater risk of suffering a serious bleed or complication.

Danielle has also needed the plasma medicine at other times in her life, when the condition flared up again.

Medicine made from your plasma can help people like Danielle, so please keep donating or sign up today! 👏

21/09/2025

"September is Leukaemia Awareness Month, a time to shine a light on the realities faced by children and families battling blood cancers.

"For our family, this journey is deeply personal. Our son Gabriel is currently in the maintenance phase of his treatment, with his end-of-treatment milestone approaching in February. He’s doing amazingly well, and we are endlessly grateful. But we know not every child is this lucky.

"Gabriel’s strength has been supported by countless blood and platelet transfusions, especially during the early, intense stages of chemotherapy. These transfusions are not just supportive care, they are life-saving.

"Children with leukaemia often experience dangerously low blood counts due to both the disease and its treatment, making transfusions essential to keep them strong enough to fight on.

"Your donation could help a child like Gabriel stay strong through treatment, or even survive a critical moment. Every donation is a gift of hope. Let’s make sure no child fights alone." ❤️💛- Maja

19/09/2025

Everyone has their own reason for becoming a blood donor. ❤️

Some of us were inspired by a loved one, others responded to an emergency appeal, and many just wanted to make a difference.

What's your story?

Share why you started donating and inspire others to take that first step!

18/09/2025

📚 My Blood, Your Blood by Laura Henry-Allain MBE is an inspiring children’s book based on the real-life story of Angel Salami, who was diagnosed with sickle cell as a baby.

The story follows Angel and her dad Kehinde, who also lives with sickle cell, and shows how vital blood donations are in helping Angel live, learn and play like other children.

The book was launched this week and has been given free to all Brixton primary schools this Sickle Cell Awareness Month. It will also be available in some libraries and donor centres.

We hope the book will raise awareness, spark conversations, and celebrate the donors who change lives. ❤️

Find out more: https://ow.ly/2gMN50WYsH5

18/09/2025

You may have spotted BBC presenter Roger Johnson on BBC North West last night, sharing his experience of giving blood! 📺

A big thank you to Roger for rolling up his sleeve with us once again, this was his 21st donation. 🩸

He also got a special behind-the-scenes look at our Plymouth Grove Centre in Manchester. ❤️

After an NHS appeal for more blood donors North West Tonight's Roger Johnson rolled up his sleeve.

16/09/2025

Your donations in action ✨

Here’s a quick explainer of the different ways your gifts of kindness get put to work – swipe to read more!

🩸 TRANSFUSION = Topping up blood supply.
🔄 EXCHANGE = Out with old, in with new.
💧 INFUSION = Slow delivery of medicine and essential nutrients.

Every donation you make could help someone through one of these medical procedures.

You might have seen us talking about these terms a lot more than usual this September.

During Sickle Cell Awareness Month, we’ve shared stories of people who have benefited from transfusions and exchanges, to top up their blood levels and remove sickled cells from their body.

And our update since the first patients in a generation started to receive UK-sourced plasma medicines highlighted the benefit of intravenous infusions.

15/09/2025

Last week we shared a bit about Ro blood and why this rare subtype is so vital for providing well-matched blood for patients living with sickle cell.

This week, we’re celebrating one of our fantastic Ro donors, Paula.

“My blood type is rare, B+ with the Ro subtype. You may very well be part of that tiny group too… which means you’re missing out on free snacks and the red-carpet treatment three times a year 😉.

"I dislike needles and the sight of blood. It’s taken me nearly 20 years of donating before I could even look at the needle, let alone hold the bag afterwards for a photo.

"But the Give Blood team even send you a text a week or so later to let you know where your blood was used. How amazing is that?”

Paula’s commitment makes a real difference for patients living with sickle cell.

Thank you Paula, and thank you to all our amazing donors who save lives every single day. ❤️

13/09/2025

After the amazing news of 2,000 people being helped by immunoglobulin medicine made from YOUR donations, we wanted to share an overview of how these precious treatments are made.

Thanks to your generosity, patients can live happier and healthier lives! 💙