Plea for blood donors to sign up for pioneering research project

Centres in Sheffield, Bradford and Leeds are recruiting thousands of volunteers for the Interval study which will look at the time required between blood donations.

The research, run by experts from Cambridge and Oxford universities in collaboration with NHS Blood and Transplant, will look at a total of 50,000 participants
nationwide to see if the length of time between blood donations can be more tailored to suit people’s age, weight, diet and inherited factors.

Findings, which could shape the future of blood donation nationally and internationally, are expected to emerge in 2015-16.

Julie Taylor, 51, of Woodseats, Sheffield, who is a donor care supervisor at the Sheffield blood
donor centre, was the first to sign up to the study in the city where 3,315 people are needed to take part.

She said she was keen to donate as frequently as possible because her father’s life had been saved by a blood donation.

“I hope it will make a difference for blood donors because many of our donors have often said that they would like to donate more often but up until now have not had the opportunity,” she said.

“I also think that asking donors to donate more frequently will make them feel even more valued.

“The study is a very valuable and exciting opportunity to make 
the National Blood Service the best it can be and it gives you a sense of pride to be giving even more to the patients who need blood products, especially if you know someone on a personal level like I do who has been a recipient.”

Donating blood can lower the body’s iron levels and blood donation intervals are set to minimise iron deficiency. In England and North Wales intervals are currently 12 weeks for men and 16 weeks for women but these vary across Europe.

Men taking part in the study will be asked to donate at intervals of eight, 10 or 12 weeks and women at 12, 14 and 16-week intervals over a period of two years.

Professor John Danesh, of Cambridge University, said: “In order to examine their iron levels, we will collect blood samples at both the start and end of the trial. Donors will then be monitored throughout the study via an online questionnaire once every six months.

“There will also be online tests of mental function and, for some donors, of physical activity monitoring.”

Researcher Carmel Moore, who is co-ordinating the trial, said so far they had had a good response but more volunteers were needed.

“Recruitment will continue into 2013, so for anyone still wanting to take part it is not too late,” she said.

NHS Blood and Transplant medical and research director Lorna Williamson said: “The aim of this ground-breaking research is to see if donation intervals can be tailored to suit individual donors by age, gender and other characteristics.

“Due to NHSBT operating as a single organisation with standard practice across all donation venues, we are lucky to be one of the few countries which can run a study of this size.

“We are constantly striving to make the process of giving blood as easy as possible whilst keeping our valuable donors as safe as possible.

“Hopefully this new study will be another step forward in achieving this by offering a modern, efficient, service to donors based on strong clinical and scientific evidence.”

The NHS needs 7,000 voluntary donations each day but only four per cent of the eligible population are active donors.

Anyone wishing to take part in the study must be able to give blood at one of the centres, be 18 years or over and have access to the internet with a valid email address.

Those interested in volunteering can call 0300 1232323 or visit www.blood.co.uk.