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 Lisa Phillip, whose daughter Miai is one of 15,000 people in the UK living with sickle cell disease.

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Focus on plasma

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

Focus on plasma

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

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Helping little Ezrah

Serena Pink’s son, Ezrah, was diagnosed with sickle cell disease not long after birth, receiving his first transfusion soon after

Animals can give blood too

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

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"I want to give him a big hug"

Patients' lives are saved by donors every day, but Emily Pringle got to say thank you to one of hers

Reducing our impact on the planet

We've been making changes to meet the goals set in our sustainability strategy

Other stories

“Blood donations let my daughter live life to the full” Getting an appointment Everyday he-Ro-es “Thank you for letting me have some of your blood”

Get in touch

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

Previous issues

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