NHS bosses are issuing an urgent appeal for one million more blood donors over the next five years.
And NHS Blood and Transplant said they particularly need those with the rarest blood types.
Earlier this year the Daily Mirror launched a campaign to get readers to give blood after numbers dropped because of the Covid pandemic.
The number of active donors – those donating in the last year – fell during the pandemic from nearly 808,000 in March 2020 to just over 750,000 in February 2021.
Stephen Cornes of NHS Blood and Transplant said: “We urgently need new black African and black Caribbean donors to come forward.
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“We also need one million new donors over the next five years of all blood types.
“As the NHS treats more patients, we need to grow the total number of donors too.”
With hospitals desperately trying to catch up on a huge backlog of cases caused by lockdowns, demand for blood is again soaring.
In February the Mirror called on readers to help out in a bid to save lives by becoming a donor hero.
The NHS is short of 75,000 regular donors and stocks are now supplied by the smallest pool in the 21st century, as demand is back at pre-pandemic levels.
NHS Blood and Transplant campaigns director Helen Duggan said: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority.
“Through the most critical time of the pandemic this was achieved thanks to a loyal club of existing donors, the smallest for 25 years.
As hospitals catch up on routine care, we are facing a critical crossroads to meet the rise in demand for blood and are appealing for new donors to step forward and join this amazing group of lifesaving people.
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How you can help
Register as a blood donor today and play your part in the NHS recovery.
Patients need blood all year around and the NHS needs to ensure a steady supply.
In some areas of the country there are limited appointments for first time donors so if you cannot find a slot straight away please search a few weeks or months ahead.
Visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23 to register and start saving lives.
