Celebrating World Blood Donor Day – Give Blood Donations in Cornwall

Blood donation in Cornwall plays a vital role in saving lives and making a difference in the lives of countless individuals. In this post, you will learn about Blood Donor Day and the difference it makes. At Cornwall Air Ambulance we now carry blood on board your helicopter, which gives the clinical crew the chance to start a transfusion before they even reach the hospital! 

So, let’s take a look at the importance of World Blood Donor Day and discover how you can make a difference.

The Importance of World Blood Donor Day

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated to raise awareness about the importance of blood donations. In Cornwall, this day holds special significance as it highlights the impact of blood donations in our community. The need for blood donation in Cornwall is constant. Whether it’s for emergency situations, surgeries, or ongoing medical treatments, hospitals rely on a steady supply of blood to meet the needs of their patients. World Blood Donor Day raises awareness surrounding this need and encourages more people to donate. 

What is World Blood Donor Day?

World Blood Donor Day is celebrated on June 14th each year and is organised by the World Health Organisation. It aims to raise awareness of the need for more healthy blood to be donated and celebrates the contribution that blood donors make around the globe every day. Each year, the day has a different theme, with 2024’s slogan being ‘Share Life, Give Blood’.

Why Blood Donation Matters

A single blood donation can save up to three lives, making it a powerful act of compassion and kindness. However, there is always a need for more blood, with the NHS needing around 5,000 donations every single day. Blood donations are used as a lifeline in emergency situations, as well as for transfusions for those who have lost blood during an accident, surgery or during childbirth. Some patients with rare disorders may even need blood transfusions every few weeks to keep them healthy and alive. There are eight different blood types, with some being rarer than others. This means that a variety of types of people are needed to donate blood, to ensure that the right blood match is available. 

Cornwall Air Ambulance Trust’s Role

Cornwall Air Ambulance works in close partnership with Cornwall Blood Bikes. Every day, blood is transported from the Royal Cornwall Hospital to Cornwall Air Ambulance’s base in Newquay. The volunteer riders from Cornwall Blood Bikes carry plasma and red blood cells, which are then transported onto your AW169 helicopter. On average, it takes just 12 minutes for Cornwall Air Ambulance to reach locations in Cornwall and 28 minutes to reach the Isles of Scilly. This partnership and call-out process enables lifesaving transfusions to be delivered at the scene of an incident before a patient even arrives at the hospital. 

Blood Donation Cornwall Statistics 

Between 2022 and 2023, 1,647 new blood donors were needed in Cornwall alone to meet demand. The five-year Blood Service Strategy suggests that one million new donors are needed in the UK between 2022 and 2026 to ensure better blood matches for patients. The blood types with the highest demand include Types O positive and O negative. This is because O positive is the most common type of blood type at around 35% of the population. Whereas only 13% of people are O negative, resulting in a smaller percentage of these types of donors. The NHS is currently calling for more young donors, as there is only half the amount of 17-24-year-olds giving blood now compared to five years ago.

How to Donate – Cornwall Blood Donation

Firstly, sign up to give blood. To do this you must be between 17-65 and weigh at least 50kg. Then, use the NHS’ location finder to find a donation venue in Cornwall. After you have booked an appointment, the process is simple. Simply check in to your appointment, answer a health questionnaire and receive a quick pinprick test to check your iron levels. The donation itself usually takes 5-10 minutes to collect 475ml of blood. After you have donated blood, you can receive a text message from the NHS telling you where it has been used.

Ways to Support Cornwall Air Ambulance’s Efforts on World Blood Donor Day

Cornwall Air Ambulance began carrying blood products in December 2020. In the first year of this initiative, 12 transfusions were carried out, and in the second year, it was 14. In 2023, we were tasked to 1,160 missions and delivered 19 blood transfusions. However, we do not receive any government funding and are only able to support those in critical conditions with the support of the public. You can support Cornwall Air Ambulance’s efforts in the following ways:

• Sign up to be a blood donor
• Gift a one-off or monthly monetary donation
• Become a Heli2 Hero
• Join the AirCrew Club
• Take part in an adventure challenge
• Explore our volunteer roles
• Play our charity lottery
• Give as you shop
• Leave gifts in wills

We thank you for all your donations, efforts and ongoing support. 

Blood Transfusion Stories From the Field

Zack Hancock – Roadside Collision 

In December 2020, just three days after Cornwall Air Ambulance began carrying blood products on board, Zack Hancock received an emergency transfusion on the roadside. After a serious collision on the road, he was left with life-threatening injuries. Police did not think he would make it and told his mother to say goodbye to him. However, after receiving a lifesaving blood transfusion and being airlifted to Derriford Hospital, Zack made a recovery.

Liam Bradley – Road Traffic Incident

Liam Bradley was the second patient to receive a blood transfusion from the Cornwall Air Ambulance crew at the scene of an incident. He experienced extensive injuries to both legs, as well as a collapsed lung. The critical care team gave him a blood transfusion to increase his blood pressure and reduce levels of damage to his brain. This transfusion proved vital as it took nearly two hours to cut him free from his car. In the end, Liam suffered a brain injury due to the lack of oxygen because of his injuries. However, the blood transfusion prevented irreversible damage, and after specialist rehabilitation, Liam made a remarkable recovery. 

Blood Donation in Cornwall

World Blood Donor Day celebrates the remarkable impact that blood donations make in the UK. By donating blood in Cornwall, individuals in our community make a difference in the lives of others and embody the spirit of compassion. However, there is always a need for more blood, and the NHS is currently calling out for more young blood donors. Signing up to give blood is an easy process, and anyone between 17-65 years can give blood. If you are not eligible to give blood, there are plenty of other ways to support Cornwall Air Ambulance. 

So, let’s raise awareness and do all that we can; knowing that each drop has the power to save lives and create positive outcomes for people in our beloved Cornwall.