NHS Blood and Transplant is urging donors in Tooting to make and keep appointments to give blood and help cancer patients get the vital blood transfusions they need.

February 4th is World Cancer Day and many people don’t know that over half the blood donated goes to help treat patients with cancer or leukaemia.

Blood transfusions are often an important part of cancer treatment because chemotherapy can reduce the number of red blood cells in the blood and make patients anaemic. Blood transfusions can relieve the symptoms of anaemia by increasing the number of red cells in the blood.

The UK population is getting older, and some diseases like cancer that require regular blood transfusions are associated with ageing, so the need for blood is ongoing.

There is continued high demand for O negative blood and A negative platelets, as these ‘universal’ blood types can be used safely with any patient and they are particularly valuable in accident and emergency situations.

Amy Rowley, Head of Donor Marketing Operations for East, said: “If you’ve thought about registering but never got around to it, World Cancer Day is the ideal prompt to take action. It only takes a minute to sign to save lives. There are people in Tooting desperately in need for of a transfusion.

“New donors are always needed and you could help those who need blood as part of ongoing cancer treatment as well as those who need blood during emergency surgery or childbirth.

“Each donation can save or improve up to three lives. We look forward to welcoming new donors at our sessions in Tooting this February.”

There is a dedicated blood donor centre at 75 Cranmer Terrace, Tooting, London, SW17 0RB. Donor centres are bright and modern venues with free wi-fi, with longer opening hours than community venues.

The centre particularly needs more black donors as they are more likely to have the blood type needed to treat the increasing number of patients suffering from sickle cell disease. People from the same ethnic background are more likely to have matching blood groups.

Make and keep your appointment to donate in Tooting by calling the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk 

It is also easy to book through mobile apps for Windows, Android and Apple devices. To download the app, search 'NHSGiveBlood' in the app store.