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.

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 contributor is Malcolm MacDonald, whose 167th donation took him back to a special place.

Before the session

We start tracking the journey of blood, taking a look at what happens before a donation session

Blood on board

We speak to the Great North Air Ambulance Service about carrying blood in helicopters

Focus on plasma

Find out more about the biggest component of blood and how it saves people's lives

The Organ Donation Register at 25

Since being set up in 1994, the register has been responsible for helping to save up to 20,000 lives

Helping little Ezrah

Serena Pink’s son, Ezrah, has received transfusions to treat his sickle cell disease since just after birth

Animals can give blood too

Did you know that dogs, cats and even pangolins and alpacas donate blood?

Previous issues

Missed an issue of The Donor? Catch up with past editions here

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