The Donor

News and information for blood donors

With almost 5,000 donations needed every day, there’s never a shortage of remarkable stories emerging from the world of giving blood – be they from the research lab, the hospital bed, or the donor chair.

The Donor brings those stories to the fore: stories that may inspire you or make you laugh or cry, but should, more than anything, help you to feel proud of the amazing, compassionate, and generous thing you’re doing every time you donate.

Latest stories

“You will never know how much I treasure you, blood donors”

Solome Mealin, 41, has sickle cell disorder and receives red cell exchanges every five weeks at St James’ hospital in Leeds. The mum of three has eight units of blood each time.

Platelets for an emergency C-section

Bibi received blood and platelets, saving her and her baby after a rare complication during pregnancy.

Other uses for your donation

While most donated blood is used clinically, your donation could also save lives in less direct ways, such as developing an artificial liver.

Features

Humans of Blood Donation

We receive so many wonderful and heart-warming stories from blood donors that we decided to turn them into a regular feature - Humans of Blood Donation.

Our latest contributors are sisters Kerry and Trudi who made their 50th donation together.

Down Memory Lane

For some donors, the habit of saving lives is one that stretches way back into the past – in some cases, as far as the 1950s.

In our feature, Down Memory Lane, these lifesavers take us back through the decades to the days their younger selves started giving blood.

Ask the experts

Ever wondered why you have to wait to donate after getting a tattoo? Or how long after giving blood you can get a vaccine? Thankfully, our clinical experts are on hand with the answers.

Hear from the best and brightest from across the organisation on the latest in the world of blood donation.

Meet the Donor

Celebrate the inspirational people who have transformed the lives of others through living organ donation.

Our latest contributor, Kay Mason, was the first person in the UK to donate a kidney anonymously to a stranger.

Functions of blood

Did you know it takes a red blood cell less than a minute to move from the heart, through the body, and back to the heart? Or that when fighting an infection, the body produces more white blood cells?

Our new feature explores the key functions of blood.

The journey of blood

Have you ever wondered what goes on behind the scenes of blood donation? We will take you on a journey of blood and show you what happens before, during and after you donate.

Get in touch

Share your news, views and interesting or unusual donor stories by emailing thedonor@nhsbt.nhs.uk

Previous issues

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