Blood donation message to reach millions as DVLA supports the NHS drive to recruit next generation of donors

Learner drivers and motorists renewing their driving licences are being encouraged to give blood in a new partnership between the DVLA and the NHS in England that it is hoped will boost the number of much-needed younger donors.

A link to register as a blood donor now appears in digital correspondence sent to individuals following driving licence applications with a message explaining that blood donation saves lives. It will reach around 9,500 people across the country every day.

It is hoped the initiative will inspire more younger people in particular to sign up and become regular donors. More than half of people who regularly give blood are aged over 45, yet younger donors are vital to secure the future of the blood supply. People can donate from the age of 17 and register at 16.

Hospitals across England need 5,000 blood donations every day to ensure they have the blood they need to treat patients for wide variety of reasons – from traumatic injuries or accidents, cancer treatments, blood disorders and childbirth.

Maisie's story

Maisie, standing with a medical stand during a blood transfusion Maisie Marsh, a 17-year-old teaching assistant from Liverpool, needed blood on the day she was born and has received more than 100 transfusions throughout her life. She has pyruvate kinase deficiency (PKD), a rare blood disorder that can cause extreme tiredness, infections and pain, and can be life-threatening. Blood transfusions ease her symptoms and help her to lead a normal life.

She needed a transfusion every month until the age of 5 when she had her spleen removed to help manage her condition. She now needs blood when she experiences symptoms or to help her body fight off an infection.

Maisie, who plans to learn to drive soon, hopes the partnership will encourage more young people to sign up as blood donors and start donating.

"Many people my age probably haven’t thought of giving blood. Having the option to sign up when applying for a driving licence is a good way to get the message out to people who are the right age to start donating," said Maisie, who lives with her mum Emma, dad Dean and younger sisters Ruby and Scarlett.

"I know first-hand the difference blood donors make. Transfusions were vital for me to grow and thrive when I was young and now they help me to stay well and lead a normal life.

"People mostly associate blood transfusions with emergencies but every day there are so many people like me who need blood for ongoing conditions. My family and I are always asking people to give blood if they can. It’s so easy, and you save lives."

NHS Blood and Transplant hopes that the initiative will build on the success of its organ donation partnership with the DVLA. Since 1994 the driving licence application has included an option to join the Organ Donor Register (ODR). Around 70% of those currently signed up to the ODR did so through this prompt.

Statements

Statement from Altaf Kazi

Altaf Kazi, Assistant Partnerships Director for NHS Blood and Transplant, said:

"At 17 you can both learn to drive and start giving blood, so this new partnership with the DVLA is a fantastic opportunity for the NHS to reach more younger people who have a lifetime of donating ahead of them.

"More than half of our regular donors are aged over 45. We need more young people to become regular donors to ensure lifesaving blood is there for patients who need it now and in the future.

"Giving blood is quick and easy. In just 1 hour you can save up to 3 lives. Please register and book your first appointment today."

Statement from Tim Moss

Tim Moss, DVLA Chief Executive, said:

"We're proud to support NHS Blood and Transplant in encouraging more young people to become blood donors. With millions of driving licence applications processed each year, DVLA is in a unique position to help raise awareness and make it easier for people to take that first step.

"This simple addition to our digital services could help save lives. Younger donors are vital to the future of the blood supply, and we’re pleased to play a part in helping more of them get involved."

Statement from Zubir Ahmed

Health Minister, Zubir Ahmed said:

"This innovative partnership is exactly the kind of joined-up thinking that can make a real difference to people's lives.

"As a transplant surgeon, I know how many lives are saved through blood donors. With hospitals needing thousands of blood donations every day across England, securing the next generation of donors is vital for the future of our blood supply"

How you can help

The NHS always needs new donors to replace those who stop donating every year. As well as young donors, there remains an ongoing need for more donors of Black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.

Right now the NHS particularly needs more donations from people with type O negative and B negative blood.

There are 28 permanent donor centres in towns and cities around England, including the newly-opened Brighton Donor Centre.

Register as a blood donor and book your first appointment via the GiveBloodNHS app or through our website. If you can't find an appointment straight away please book for further in the future.