Call for 'super blood' donations in the run up to the Olympics

There has been a huge call for 'super blood' donations in the run up to the London Olympics, with type O negative blood donors being urged to come forward to boost supplies.

Type O blood has been labelled 'super blood' and 'universal blood' because it can be given to anyone regardless of their blood type. As tourists and Olympic athletes from around the world descend upon London this summer, demand for the blood type is expected to outstrip supply, which has prompted widespread campaigns by laboratories.

Indeed, it won't just be type O blood that will be in demand this summer. During the Queen's jubilee demand for blood was 69 per cent higher, statistics show. Therefore, all types of blood will need to be in good supply in advance of an exceptionally busy summer, according to NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT).

There will be an additional 1.2 million people and 15,000 athletes in London as part of the Olympic Games whose blood type may not be known. Should they need a transfusion, the 'super blood' O negative is likely to be needed.

This increase in demand is expected to be compounded by fewer donors coming forward in the midst of the disruption and distraction of the celebrations.

NHSBT spokesman Jon Latham said: "Without O negative blood donors many life saving procedures could be delayed or made more risky for patients and of course we wouldn't be able to give transfusions to people with O negative at all since they can only take blood of their own type.

"We're appealing to this elite group of blood donors to help us prepare for the unprecedented demand expected around the Olympics to make sure our health services have the essential stocks they need."

The Olympic Games take place in London between July 27th and August 12th.

Posted by Neil Clark