Be there

When you donate, you don't know who it will help. You just know you'll be there when it's needed most.

Every minute, the NHS needs 3 lifesaving blood donations – that's why our new advert, which features real-life paramedics, asks people to consider signing up as blood donors.

As the paramedics quickly respond to a traffic accident in a sea of flashing blue lights, the lifesaving work of blood donors has already been done: they are there even though they may be miles away.

Helicopter Emergency Medical Service (HEMS) carry supplies of blood so that they can provide emergency transfusions when needed.

In emergency situations, like those faced by HEMS and the London Ambulance Service, both of which collaborated on the advert, O negative blood can be used. O negative can be given to anyone whose blood type is not known, which is why it is known as the 'universal type'.

Demand for O negative is always high, but thanks to the generosity and commitment of donors, the amber alert for both O negative and O positive blood types has been stood down in England.

There is, however, still a need for 200,000 more people to sign up as blood donors, including those with the rare B negative blood type and Ro subtype, which is most common in people of Black heritage.

O negative is often used as a substitute for B negative and Ro blood when stocks are low, which can add to the demand.

By being a donor, you'll be there when you're needed. Share our advert with your family and friends today and help to make sure someone else can be there too.