Appeal for Rotherham blood stocks boost

NHS Blood and Transplant is reminding people to donate ahead of their  summer breaks to help maintain stocks for hospital patients.

Blood stocks tend to fall at this time of year as people get distracted by holidays and the warmer weather.

B Rh negative blood is in demand because certain ethnic groups are more prone to particular diseases that require blood, such as sickle cell anaemia and thalassemia and a higher proportion of these ethnic groups are Group B Rh.

Group B Rh negative blood can be given to B negative or B positive patients. Donors with blood group O Rh negative are typically known as the “universal donor” as their blood can be given to patients with a different blood group.

Visit www.blood.co.uk to find a session in your area.

Anyone aged 17 to 65 and more than 7st 12lbs can donate.