Misconceptions about who can and cannot give blood may be stopping legions of Britons from rolling up their sleeves and helping save lives. Fewer than a third of Brits have ever donated blood, and myths about eligibility remain widespread.
Low Donation Rates
A mere 32% of people have ever given blood, and more than a year has passed since seven out of 10 were donors. Pollsters Ipsos found that more than one in 10 people (12%) incorrectly believe giving blood weakens the body. Nearly one in five (18%) falsely think you cannot donate if you take medication, and more than half of Britons (56%) do not know their own blood type.
Political Differences
People who voted Conservative at the last election were most likely to have given blood (44%), compared with 37% of those who backed Reform, 34% who supported Labour, and 27% who cast votes for the Liberal Democrats.
Common Myths
A tenth of respondents incorrectly thought you cannot give blood if you have a tattoo. Nearly one in 20 (4%) falsely believed vegans and vegetarians could not make donations, and 9% wrongly thought gay and bisexual men were barred.
Age and Donation
Older people were more likely to make donations, with 42% of those aged 55-75 having given blood, compared with 21% of 18-34s.
Sue Phillips, of Ipsos, said misconceptions about who can provide blood “could mean that perfectly eligible donors are self-excluding”.
Daniel Cooper, the NHS’s assistant director for blood donation operations, urged people to come forward to donate, saying: “If you don’t know your blood type, book an appointment to give blood and we’ll tell you. Only 2% of those eligible currently give blood regularly – we would love more people to become regular blood donors. Giving blood is quick and easy, and each donation can save up to three lives.”
Describing the need for more donors, he said: “In England alone the NHS needs 5,000 donations every day to save lives. Right now the NHS particularly needs more donors with O negative – the universal blood type, B negative – a rare type and Ro – specifically needed to treat sickle cell patients.
“We need more donors of black heritage who are more likely to have Ro blood and more young people to become the next generation of blood donors. Use the Give Blood app or visit blood.co.uk to book an appointment and find all the information you need about blood donation.”
