Follow us

The 2024 theme of World Blood Donor Day, which takes place on 14 June, is “20 years of celebrating donation: thank you blood donors!”

 

Today marks the 20th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day. This year, WHO, its partners and communities around the world are using this important date to thank blood donors around the world for their life-saving donations over the years and to honour their profound impact on patients and donors alike. In addition to this recognition, the day is also a reminder of all that remains to be done: the continuing challenges that exist and the need to accelerate progress towards a future where safe blood transfusion is universally accessible.

The facts on blood donations in the UK

More than 224,000 people registered as blood donors last year in the UK. This is lower than in previous years, as the previous year’s data shows that these registrations were over 313,000.

The number of people registering to give blood between 1 April – 31 March in the specified time period.
2023-2024: 224,658 new registrations
2022-2023: 313,567 new registrations

In the case of new donations, that is, people donating blood for the first time. The annual report shows that between 1 April 2023 and 31 March 2024 the following were recorded 119,371 new donations.

On the other hand, the donation according to ethnicity was in 2023-2024:

  • Asian: 11,044
  • Black: 5,231
  • Mixed: 4,328
  • White: 96,126
  • Other: 2,642

Finally, according to UK regions, London was the most popular blood donor in the last year:

  • East Midlands: 16,994
  • East of England: 23,179
  • London: 43,516
  • North East: 9,051
  • North West: 26,091
  • South East: 36,700
  • South West: 24,848
  • West Midlands: 19,343
  • Yorkshire and The Humber: 18,605

How to donate blood in the UK?

Donating blood is an easy and life-saving process. A small gesture that can be life-saving for many people. simple and life-saving.
In the case of the UK, registering to donate blood is very simple. All you have to do is go to the specific NHS blood donation page and follow the steps below:

Before you give blood

  1. Check you are able to give blood.
  2. Sign up online, or call 0300 123 23 23.
  3. Log in to your online account and find an appointment – a number of appointments can be booked in advance. If you are unable to book now, then please try for a later date. A limited number of walk-in slots are available.
  4. Follow the preparing to give blood. In this article you can find everything you need to know about donating blood.
  5. If you are unable to keep your donation appointment please try and give us at least 3 days’ notice. You can easily cancel or reschedule your appointment when you log in to your online account