What's Your Blood Type Event at Riverside House

The event will be open from 10:30am to 2:00pm to those eligible and considering donating blood.

In order to find out your blood type, NHS staff will complete a finger prick blood test. Anyone who would like to become a blood donor can ask to be signed up to give blood at a nearby blood donation venue as donations cannot be taken on site.

NHS Blood Donation Service would like to encourage people from ethnic minority backgrounds to attend this event as these are often the groups where blood donation is most needed. Primarily, because the Ro blood type is ten times more common in Black African or Black Caribbean ethnic backgrounds and their blood can be used to help people with sickle cell disease and thalassemia.

Donating blood is extremely important and essential to those with serious illnesses as it provides them with a fighting chance at life. It is vital that there is a wide range of blood donors from a variety of backgrounds to ensure hospitals have a sufficient supply of all blood types.

Giving blood is linked to many health benefits for the donor as well as the person receiving the donation. Studies have shown that donating blood can help to reduce the risk of heart attacks, lower your blood pressure, and more.

Rotherham Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health, Cllr Roche, said: “Giving blood is one of the best gifts you can give, as your donation has the potential to transform people’s lives for the better. Just one donation could save multiple lives, especially if your blood is separated into its component parts. If you’re considering becoming a donor, then I strongly encourage you to attend this event as it is a great place to start.”

Once you become a donor, you can download the Give Blood app on your mobile phone to track the journey of your donation and find out which hospital has received your generous gift.

Before attending the event, you will need to check that you are eligible which you can do online.