PEOPLE in the West Midlands with rare B negative blood type are urged to donate blood during shortage, writes Hannah Taylor.
Only 2 per cent of the population has this blood type, making it one of the rarest.
There are currently 1,200 B negative donors in the West Midlands who are eligible to donate blood as enough time has passed since their last donation.
Since patients with type B negative blood can only receive either B negative or O negative blood, the shortage will create greater demand on supplies of O negative blood.
Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply, said: “B negative donors are immensely important to our live-saving work but as one of the rarest blood types, it can be a challenge to always collect enough.
“Right now B negative stocks are at risk of running low.
“With a blood type this rare, just a slight rise in hospital demand or one or two patients suddenly requiring a high number of units, can put significant pressure on supplies.
“We urgently need existing B negative donors to make an appointment to donate and more people with this blood type to become regular donors and help secure the life-saving supply of blood to patients in the weeks, months and years ahead.”
NHS Blood and Transplant are contacting all B negative donors asking them to book an appointment at their earliest convenience.
However, family members of people with B negative blood are also urged to come forward as they are 30% more likely than the general population to have this rare blood type.
Donating a unit of blood takes just one hour and each donation can save up to three lives.
Men can give blood every three months and women every four months.
Visit blood.co.uk to book an appointment, or call 0300 123 23 23.
