SOS goes out to 'missing' donors

NHS bosses have made an urgent plea to “missing” blood donors to come forward to help boost stocks of one blood type.

- SAM VOLPE

The NHS Blood and Transplant agency says there are 2,420 people with the vital O negative blood type who have not given blood for more than year.

O negative is a hugely sought-after blood type ~ as it is the “universal donor” type and capable of being given safely to anyone in an emergency.

The NHS bosses said that factors including the number of recent bank holidays and the fact that Easter and half-term have fallen so close together had contributed to the issue.

People are urged to consider making an appointment at one of the NHS’s fixed donor centres - such as on Barrack Road in Newcastle.