The National Health Service has launched an urgent, year-end plea to the British public, warning there are just 48 hours left to help save lives by giving blood. With the festive period drawing to a close, NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) is urging people to use their remaining time off to book one of thousands of critical, unfilled donation appointments.
Critical Shortage as Festive Period Draws to a Close
NHSBT has revealed it must fill 2,755 available slots at major town and city centre donor centres today and tomorrow, the 30th and 31st of December. The service often issues more blood to hospitals than it collects over Christmas and New Year, leading to dangerously low stocks. The appeal, made via the Mirror, highlights a particular need for donors with B negative, O negative and Ro blood types.
Daniel Cooper, NHSBT assistant director for blood donation operations, stated: “We call on all Mirror readers who live close to one of our centres, to come forward and help us fill these final life-saving slots of the year.” He also encouraged those who cannot find an immediate appointment to book for early 2026, emphasising that the need for blood is constant.
One Donation, Three Lives Saved
The impact of a single donation is profound. The components of one pint of blood—red cells, plasma, and platelets—can be separated and used to treat up to three different patients. These components are vital for treating cancer, immune disorders, and in emergency surgeries. NHSBT faces the huge task of filling around 50,000 donation slots in January alone to restock depleted supplies.
This new appeal supports the Mirror's 'Give a Pint, Save a Life' campaign, which aims to help blood stocks recover from the ongoing impact of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Inspiring Stories from Lifelong 'Super Donors'
The call for new donors comes as NHSBT celebrates ten remarkable 'super donors' who have given blood, plasma, platelets, and stem cells over the last two decades. Their stories underscore the lasting difference one person can make.
Andy Stowe, a 64-year-old cycling officer from Birmingham, began donating as a teenager. After donating stem cells in 2013, he now gives plasma every two weeks. "Being able to donate is such an honour," he said. "It's something I have always loved to do and will continue to do as long as I am able."
Dr Christopher Black, a 31-year-old anaesthetist from Leicester, made his first donation as a medical student. He witnesses the life-saving power of blood daily in his work. "The fact that I can pick up the phone, ask for blood and have it delivered right away can only happen through the work of hundreds of people and one particularly special person - the donor," he explained.
How You Can Help
Most available appointments are at permanent city centre donation venues in locations including:
- London
- Bristol
- Manchester
- Newcastle
- Birmingham
- Leeds
To become a donor, you can:
- Register online via the NHS Give Blood website.
- Download the NHS Give Blood app.
- Call 0300 123 23 23.
Once registered, appointments can be booked through the same channels. With only two days left in the year, the NHS's message is clear: your gift of time could be the most important gift you give this season.
