An NHS blood drive is being hosted today in Wandsworth.
The drive is taking place until 5pm at Bubbling Well Square in the Ram Quarter, with NHS staff available for one-to-one conversations to answer any questions attendees might have.
Slots should take around 10 minutes to complete.
A spokesperson for the event, described the blood drive as an “opportunity to help save lives by registering to donate blood and plasma”.
Blood and plasma donations are a fantastic way to help people in emergency situations and are helpful in fighting blood and immune disorders, cancers, and genetic conditions.
Whilst no blood will be taken at the event, staff will be available to help Wandsworth locals book appointments to donate at a later date.
Moreover, prospective donors will have the chance to have a finger-prick blood type test, revealing their likely blood type in just 10 minutes as a “token of appreciation for registering”.
Most people will be eligible to donate, so long as they are healthy, aged 17-65 and weigh 50-158kg.
However, Black and Asian people are particularly encouraged to donate.
This is because there is a high demand for blood types more common within these groups, as well as a higher prevalence of the universal blood type.
However, registering is just part of the process.
In 2022, whilst 325,000 people registered to be donors across the UK, and by February of this year, 235,000 of these new registered donors were still yet to actually donate.
David Rose, Director of Donor Experience at NHS Blood and Transplant, urged those who’ve registered to “please make 2023 the year you save lives“.
Appointments to visit the drive are available via an online form, but walk-ins are welcome.
