Colleague stories: Using my volunteering hours to give blood

Elizabeth Tolland , Communications Executive shares how she uses her volunteering hours to give back and support NHS Blood and Transplant .

The NHS needs three blood donations every minute to handle emergencies, childbirth, and critical treatments.

As a responsible employer, Hargreaves Lansdown offers every colleague 15 volunteering hours to use every year, and one of the ways you can use these hours is by giving blood.

My own blood donation journey

I started giving blood when I was 17.

Our parents put it to us that if we’d be happy to accept a blood donation, we should also be happy to donate. I book my appointments on the (very user-friendly) app and go to a local church 10 minutes away. It’s really easy, everyone’s lovely, and it’s a really nice feeling knowing you’re helping people. 

I have O negative blood, a universal blood type (can be accepted by everyone) used mostly by emergency services when someone’s blood type is unknown.

At my latest donation, it was so lovely to hear that the nurse had already seen three colleagues from Hargreaves Lansdown that day (and he said we were all really nice).

Why's it important?

Blood donation is a critical part of our NHS. Donated blood or its components (red blood cells, platelets, and plasma) are given to a patient in a blood transfusion.

"I'm O positive with a rare Ro subtype, which is in high demand by the NHS to help treat people with sickle cell disorder. Blood stocks are often critically low, and the NHS faces challenges in getting new donors. That’s why it’s so important to donate if you can - your contribution can truly make a difference." - Kathryn Hudson , Corporate Affairs

Who does it help?

• Around two thirds of the blood donated in England is used to treat medical conditions including anaemia, cancer and blood disorders.
• Nearly a third is used in surgery and emergencies, including childbirth.
• Blood can also be used to improve the quality of life for terminally ill people.

"These vital transfusions give patients a better quality of life and the energy and ability to enjoy this precious, final time with their families." -Karen Clarke, Community Nurse.

Sometimes, if blood isn’t suitable for transfusion, it can still be used in other areas, such as the development of treatments and therapies, or education. Blood donations are never sold, and strict prohibitions are placed on them, so they hold no monetary value.

“I first became aware of the value of blood donors when my grandad developed a blood disorder and towards the end of his life he needed regular blood transfusions. As well as helping people like him, I also felt the Kennys owed a debt of blood to the system. I’m O+, the most popular blood type. But because my blood can be given to most people, it’s the highest in demand from hospitals and stocks are always low." - Ryan Kenny , Marketing

Who can give blood?

Making your first donation

1. Sign up on the Give Blood website.
2. At your appointment, complete a health check questionnaire and drink 500ml of water.
3. Have a private health screening with a member of staff. They’ll complete a quick finger prick test to check your iron levels. The donation will only go ahead if your iron levels are above a certain level (125g/l for women, 135g/l for men).
4. Take a seat and give blood for 5-10 minutes.
5. Rest for 15 minutes and have another drink and free snack.
6. Head home, your donation is safely stored and will save up to three lives.

"It's always nice to help out and give back, and giving blood is a really easy way to help others in need. The nurses are always so lovely and were great with me the first time I did it. I've now been doing it for nearly 10 years!" - Liberty O'Brien , Learning & Development