Next month, I’ll be rolling up my sleeve for my 8th blood donation at Liverpool St Paul’s Donor Centre. Each visit reminds me just how powerful a simple act can be — not just for those who receive it, but for the sense of community and purpose it brings, too.

As someone with A+ blood type, I know my donations are always in demand. Did you know that A+ is the second most common blood type in the UK, making up about 30% of the population? This means my donations can help a large number of patients, whether they need surgery, treatment for cancer, or emergency transfusions after accidents.

Some UK blood donation facts that inspire me to keep going:

Every day, the NHS needs about 135,000 blood donations to meet demand.

Each blood donation can save up to three adult lives, or even more babies’ lives because they need smaller units.

Less than 4% of the eligible population donates — there’s always a need for more donors to step forward.

I’ve also been looking after my iron levels this time. I picked up a Donor Bundle from Holland & Barrett with a discount code from We Donate — it includes iron, vitamin C (which helps your body absorb iron), and multivitamins. It was only £10 with a special code they have for Holland & Barrett, so if you’re a donor too, it might be worth checking out.

A few tips for fellow donors:
🩸 Stay hydrated — drink plenty of water before and after.
🥗 Eat iron-rich foods — like spinach, red meat, or lentils.
💊 Top up with a good supplement if you feel you need it.

If you’ve been thinking about giving blood, maybe this is your sign! Book an appointment at your local donor centre and know you’re helping keep the lifeblood of the NHS flowing.

If you’re a regular donor too, I’d love to hear your stories — how many donations are you on now?

🩸 Together, we can save lives — one donation at a time.