The NHS is calling for more people to donate blood after it emerged that the number of the youngest donors has drastically diminished in recent years.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) shared that the number of regular donors in England aged 17 to 24 declined to almost half the rate it was five years ago.
It comes as the age demographics of blood donors appear to be changing, bucking recent trends of a younger donor pool.
In 2018, most donors were aged 17 to 44, but now, more than half blood donors are above 45.
Figures from NHSBT show that in 2017-18, young people aged 17 to 24 made up 13.07% of the donor pool but in 2022-23 this fell to just 7.2%.
Meanwhile, about 408,000 of the 798,000 people who regularly give blood are aged 45 or over (51.1%).
Older donors are now in the majority in every region of England except for London, NHSBT said.
It's believed that the donor pool change is due to the ageing population and knock-on effects of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Dr Jo Farrar, chief executive of NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Because lifesaving blood only has a short shelf life, we need to constantly collect it and need a steady stream of new donors.
“For the first time in five years, we have more donors aged over 45 than under, so it has never been more important for younger people to become lifesavers by giving blood.
“Giving blood feels great. In just one hour you can save up to three lives. Please register and book your first appointment today.”
Each year, the NHSBT needs to collect 1.45 million units of blood to meet the needs of patients across England.
How to register to donate blood
Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery.
Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.
People can register now and book an appointment at blood.co.uk on the GiveBloodNHS app or call 0300 123 23 23
Do you get paid to donate blood in the UK?
When donating blood or plasma to the NHS, donors can not be paid as it is illegal to do so in he UK.
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