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Man up! Males across the borough urged to give blood as new figures show double the amount of women donated last year

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The NHS is urging men across Gedling borough to match women by making becoming a blood donor their New Year’s resolution for 2019. 

New figures released today by NHS Blood and Transplant reveal more women than men in the region became New Year blood donors in 2018.

Figures show that last year 303 women in Nottinghamshire who registered in January became blood donors, compared to only 119 men.

Men’s blood can contain fewer antibodies against red and white blood cells because women often make these antibodies during pregnancy. This means male blood is often more suitable for creating blood products used to treat patients.

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Men also generally have higher iron levels than women, so they are less likely to be deferred from donating due to low haemoglobin.

Nottingham based Mike Stredder, Director of Blood Donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “It’s vital that more men start donating blood because their blood is used to provide life-saving products like plasma and platelets – to save victims of burns, car crashes and treat to patients with cancer.


“We’re incredibly grateful to all our female donors in Nottingham who are vital in providing lifesaving blood to those in need. But we need men to catch up with recent recruitment because their blood can have different characteristics which can make it important in certain situations.

“It’s more likely that we can use men’s blood to stop bleeding after injury or surgery.

He added: “A recent study has shown that fewer men are scared of donating blood than women, so I would appeal to them to step up and be part of an already amazing group of people who have kept their resolution to give blood.”

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By the second week in January, most people have broken their new year’s resolutions, but NHS Blood and Transplant is asking people, and especially men, to follow through on their commitment and give blood this year. 

More than 200,000 new donors are needed to give blood every year across England to replace those who can no longer donate regularly due to things like ill health, foreign travel or pregnancy.

It is quick and easy to make, view and change appointments by calling 0300 123 23 23, using the GiveBlood app, or going online at www.blood.co.uk

Spotted something? Got a story? Email our newsdesk news@gedlingeye.co.uk

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