Metallica have partnered with UK blood services to encourage fans to donate blood ahead of their upcoming UK tour dates. The collaboration, the first of its kind between UK blood services and a rock band, involves the Welsh Blood Service, NHS Blood and Transplant in England, and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service.
The initiative extends the work of Metallica’s charity, All Within My Hands, and urges fans to donate before shows at Glasgow’s Hampden Park (June 25), Cardiff’s Principality Stadium (June 28), and London Stadium (July 3 and 5). Blood and plasma have a shelf life of only 35 days, so services rely on continuous donations to support trauma victims, cancer patients, new mothers, and those with conditions like sickle cell disease.
A Metallica spokesperson said: 'Wherever we go on tour, we want to give something meaningful back to the communities that welcome us. As we close out the European leg of the M72 World Tour in the UK, we’re asking fans to step up and be part of something bigger than the show.' Alan Prosser of the Welsh Blood Service added: 'Partnering with a band of Metallica’s global reach allows us to connect with new audiences and shine a spotlight on the ongoing need for blood.'
Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply for NHS Blood and Transplant, noted that the push is 'helping to boost life-saving blood stocks' and urged new donors to make it a lifelong habit. He highlighted the need for O negative, B negative, and Ro donors in England. Fans can book appointments via the respective blood service websites or the NHS Give Blood app.
