Park Community: What’s Your Bloodtype?

If you’ve ever thought considered becoming a blood donor but don’t know where to start, then read on.

On Tuesday, 17 March the NHS Blood and Transplant Service (NHSBT) will visit Surrey Research Park for a ‘What’s Your Blood Type? and Blood Donation’ event. And our Park community are invited to attend too.

The event will give you an opportunity to enrol as a blood donor and, if you wish, complete a simple finger-prick test to indicate your likely blood type as well as discover more about the blood donation process.

By identifying your blood type you’ll get valuable insight into what each blood type means, how rare it is, and how certain priority blood groups are used to support patients with urgent and complex situations.

How it will work
The process takes around five minutes and involves you completing a form to register as a future blood donor.

Once filled out, the NHSBT team can carry out a finger-prick test (using just four drops) to provide an instant result of your likely blood type.  You’ll then be told your likely blood type and receive a brief explanation of why your blood type is important.

Who can take part
Most people can give blood. If you are in generally good health and aged 17–65, you could sign up on the day.

Anyone under 16 can still register their interest and will receive a letter when they turn 17 explaining that they have become eligible to donate and how to book an appointment.

Interested in hosting your own What’s Your Blood Type event?
We are keen to hear from other companies on the Park who may be interested to host an event later in the same week to provide further opportunity for staff to take part.

For more information please contact Kat Mack, Head of Engagement, at k.mack@surrey.ac.uk.