Young Blood Donors Urged to Sustain Future Supplies in Wales

The Welsh Blood Service has launched a campaign, titled Gwaed Ifanc/Young Blood, to encourage young people aged 17 and over to become blood donors. With only 3% of the general population donating regularly and a mere 15% of those under 30 participating, the service highlights an urgent need for new donors to secure future blood supplies as the population ages.

While blood stocks are currently at normal levels, the Welsh Blood Service aims to protect these supplies for the future. Eleri Schiavone, from the Welsh Blood Service, emphasized the importance of recruiting younger donors, stating, “We really need more young donors to come on board to sustain the future blood supplies for the 19 hospitals that we supply blood to in Wales.” Blood is vital for various treatments, including those for cancer patients, individuals with traumatic injuries, and mothers during childbirth.

Student Perspectives on Blood Donation

At Ysgol Stanwell in Penarth, students are being encouraged to take part in this initiative. Head boy Saif, aged 17, expressed the personal satisfaction that comes with donating blood. He stated, “You also get a text to let you know where your blood donation was used at what date and at what time, so there’s a real sense of connection to the fact you’ve donated blood.”

Another student, Niamh, also 17, shared her positive experience, noting that her parents had previously donated blood. “I’ve gone again a few weeks ago, in the summer holidays, with my parents and it’s something I’d do as many times as I could,” she said. Elliot, a fellow pupil, admitted he was initially apprehensive about the process but quickly found his fears were unfounded, stating, “I would 100% do it again.”

The Welsh Blood Service collects approximately 100,000 blood donations each year, with each donation having the potential to save up to three lives.

Expanding the Stem Cell Registry

In addition to blood donations, the campaign aims to recruit over 6,000 individuals aged between 16 and 30, including those from black, Asian, mixed, or minority ethnic backgrounds, for its stem cell registry. Currently, around 2,000 people in the UK require a stem cell transplant annually, with three in ten patients unable to find a match. This statistic rises to seven in ten for patients from diverse ethnic backgrounds.

Regular donation is crucial for maintaining blood stocks, and starting this habit early is essential. Sarah Owens, deputy head teacher at Ysgol Stanwell, highlighted the importance of community engagement among students. “We want to encourage all of our young people to look at what they can give for their local community,” she stated. The school has supported the Welsh Blood Service since 2015, resulting in students and staff collectively saving up to 3,000 lives and more than 120 students joining the stem cell registry.

As the campaign continues to gain momentum, the Welsh Blood Service remains hopeful that more young individuals will step forward to help sustain the vital blood supply needed for healthcare across Wales.