RESIDENTS in Malvern and Ledbury are being urged to commit to saving lives by registering as new blood donors during the Missing Type campaign.
NHS Blood and Transplant is running the campaign, which was first held in England and North Wales last year, to ensure blood donations for future generations.
The campaign highlights that if not enough new people donate to the blood types of A, B and O in the next few years, there won’t be enough blood available to help patients when they most need it.
Patients from around the world have thanked blood donors in moving videos and famous names from England are backing the campaign including Manchester City Football Club, Lloyds Bank, Royal Mail, Microsoft and Boots.
Last year, 11,776 people in Worcestershire gave blood at least once and new blood donors are crucial for ensuring their is the right mix of blood groups to meet patient needs in years to come.
Claire Lee, 36, from Worcester, has received around 20 units of blood and 20 units of platelets since being diagnosed with Acute Promyeloid Leukaemia in April.
She said: “I was shocked by how much blood I needed in a short space of time for cancer treatment – I was astonished.
“I am just so thankful to everyone who gives blood. I urge people to support the Missing Type campaign by registering.”
Her friend Alison Woods, 33, also from Worcestershire and shares the same A positive blood group, is a blood donor whose most recent donations have been inspired by Claire.
Alison added: “Claire is lovely, she helped me through tough times in the past, she has been a rock for me.
“She is fighting this awful disease with all guns blazing and I am so proud of her. My donations are even more special now – I just think ‘I hope Claire gets some of this.’”
To sign up as a new donor visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
