Summer 2026 update

Saving lives with Metallica

Metallica's three-year-long, 99-show M72 World Tour came to its conclusion with two dates at the London Stadium in July, and the band made an additional impact by calling on fans to give blood.

NHS Blood and Transplant, together with the Welsh Blood Service and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, collaborated with the legendary rock outfit and their charity All Within My Hands to promote blood product donation.

Metallica, whose gargantuan tour also included dates in Glasgow and Cardiff, donated t-shirts and guitar picks to the NHSBT Charity to help raise awareness of blood donation.

Metallica's charity, All Within My Hands, supports communities around the world by strengthening local services and responding to critical needs. This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to public health, community action, and helping ensure blood is available for patients who depend on it.

Saving lives in summertime

Lifesaving is a year-round job, so don't let holiday breaks, hot weather, or low haemoglobin levels catch you out. Here's our quick guide to saving lives in summertime:

• Check your travel destination: you may have to wait longer than usual to donate after travelling to some destinations. Check the advice on donating after travel here.
• Keep your iron intake up: deferrals for low haemoglobin levels rise in the warmer months. Maintain a healthy diet through summer with plenty of sources of iron.
• Stay hydrated: it's additionally important to drink plenty of fluids before donating in warmer weather.
• Wear comfortable clothing: loose-fitting clothes can help you to stay cool.
• Keep an eye on children: children aged 11 and under are welcome at our donation venues but must be accompanied by someone who is not donating.

Soap opera stem cells

BBC's EastEnders is currently highlighting the fight against blood cancer with a storyline involving the character Denise Fox and her family.

In the TV soap, Denise has been diagnosed with leukaemia and has undergone two rounds of chemotherapy but will be told this week by doctors that she needs a lifesaving stem cell transplant.

Denise's story is not unique and for many patients who are facing blood cancer, a stem cell transplant may be their only chance of a cure.

It is hoped the powerful storyline will encourage more people from Black heritage communities to join the NHS Stem Cell Donor Registry to help more patients find the match they are desperately waiting for.

Patients who are of Black heritage are far more likely to match with stem cell donors of a similar ethnic heritage.

Be part of the next medical breakthrough

Donating blood, plasma or platelets saves lives. But did you know that there's another way you can help the NHS build a healthier future for everyone?

Every new treatment, vaccine and medical breakthrough depends on volunteers taking part in health and care research. Without volunteers, life-changing research can't happen.

With the Be Part of Research service by the National Institute for Health and Care Research, it's easy to become one of those volunteers and be part of the next medical breakthrough.

You can make a difference, whether you're living with a specific health condition or would like to take part as a healthy volunteer. Opportunities range from short online surveys to studies that explore new treatments and ways of improving care.

Simply sign up online and choose the health areas that interest you. When a suitable study opens, you'll receive an email explaining what's involved and how to take part, if you choose to.

Ready to make a difference again? Join Be Part of Research today.