Watch more of our videos on Shots!
and live on Freeview channel 276

Winter is always a challenge for blood stocks with cold weather, seasonal illnesses, and busier diaries.

The only two days of the year that blood donations are not collected are Christmas Day and New Year’s Day, with appointments available on Christmas Eve and Boxing Day.

In the three weeks over last Christmas and new year, hospitals needed 1,000 more units of blood than the NHS was able to collect in this period, demonstrating how vulnerable blood stocks can be over the festive season. This did not affect the supply of lifesaving blood to patients.

Blood donors in Lancaster are being asked to give the gift of blood this Christmas.

Lancaster Donor Centre, which is at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary, has good appointment availability, with 81 slots free over the next fortnight and lots more in the coming weeks.

Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate over the Christmas and New Year period if they don’t already have one, and to keep their appointment if they have already made one.

If there is a need to cancel, please give as much notice as possible so someone else can take the slot.

People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment to give blood are also encouraged to take that next step and make their first donation.

Mark Chambers, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We’re encouraging all of our amazing blood donors in Lancaster to please book and keep their appointments and help us save lives this Christmas.

“Demand for lifesaving blood doesn’t stop for Christmas. Many patients will need transfusions over the festive period as treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth, or an accident.

“It only takes an hour to give blood and each donation can help save or improve up to three lives.”

NHS needs Lancaster blood donors to book and keep appointments to help save lives this Christmas

Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery.

Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.