Some 272 donors of 675 organs transplanted over the past five years had all suffered from cancer or malignancy, according to figures from NHS Blood and Transplant, reports the Independent.
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The campaign – first held in England and North Wales by NHS Blood and Transplant in 2015 – this year brings together 25 blood services from 21 countries covering one billion of the world’s population who are each calling for new donors to ensure blood donation for future generations.
SNBTS also said that blood stock levels change from day to day and sometimes they need to make an appeal for donors with a particular blood type whilst they may have an adequate supply of other types.
Research from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) shows only 38% of people in Scotland know their own blood type.
Blood services blame the drop on urbanisation, wider and more exotic travel and a lack of awareness about the need for more diverse blood donors.
Locations such as Croke Park, the Wild Atlantic Way, Bondi Beach, Route 66, Tokyo Tower and Downing Street will all be used for campaign material, in which the letters of the main blood groups will be omitted in favour of the words “Missing Type”.
Mr Wilkinson received 10 blood transfusions but succumbed to the cancer in October 2015, dying aged just 29, prompting his wife to commit to giving back the same amount of blood he received. Events will be held in cities across the country to encourage new donors to consider making an appointment. “Blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare”.
Jo, and her mum who has since gone on to complete 100 blood donations, are now supporting the Missing Type blood donation campaign.
“We need people in Kirklees to register as new donors at www.blood.co.uk, he said”. Support the campaign on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram using the hashtag #MissingType.
To discover all the ways you can give life and to book an appointment, download the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.
A campaign titled Missing Type is spotlighting a major drop in the number of people signing up as donors a year ago.
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SNBTS Associate Director of Donor Services Dr Moira Carter said: “In total there are eight different blood groups of which SNBTS aims to maintain a six to eight day supply at all times”.
