News

NHS Blood and Transplant launches Date2Donate

• 18th Jan 2018

NHS Blood and Transplant is asking young people in 2018 to make a regular Date2Donate to give blood.

NHSBT has teamed up with some familiar faces from the world of entertainment, to create a series of videos sharing their experiences of giving blood and encourage friends, family and loved ones come together on a regular basis to make a difference through giving blood.

The video series captures the energy of the people that donate and offers glimpses into the donation process – an altruistic yet often daunting and misunderstood act.

Monday 15 January saw the first of a series of Date2Donate video clips that will roll out throughout 2018. You can see TV and radio broadcaster – Yasmin Evans, one-half of pop duo Rizzle Kicks – Jordan Stephens and Remel London, Capital Xtra presenter and MOBO Awards Red Carpet host, making a Date2Donate.

In the clip they share their reasons for donating blood, ad lib a track to encourage blood donation – a possible contender to take on Big Shaq’s ‘Man’s Not Hot’ – and give their ones to watch tips for up and coming musicians in 2018.

• On 18 January watch The Mac Twins – Lisa and Alana Macfarlane are identical twin DJ’s, who most recently were DJ’s on the hit show Love Island’s spin-off After Sun and recently performed at Simon Cowell’s Annual Midsummer Ball.

• On 25 January watch Kelechi and Cassandra – Kelechi is a fitness guru, personal trainer, womanist, twerk innovator, pole dance instructor and Cassandra Lokko is a social media influencer who went viral in 2016 with her breath-taking wedding video.

• On 1 February watch Andi and Miquita Oliver – Andi is the host of TV programme Great British menu and her daughter Miquita is a TV presenter, who co-hosted Channel 4’s popular ‘Popworld’.

• On 8 February watch Jeff and Katy – Katy and Jeff Hammond are a British couple that went viral in 2016 after performing an African – influenced dance at their wedding.

• On 14 February watch Amelia and Cadet – Amelia is the host of the popular ‘Chicken Shop Date’ and rapper Cadet is the cousin of Krept – of Krept and Konan.

IT ONLY TAKES 1 HOUR TO SAVE 3 LIVES

Nadine Eaton from NHSBT said:

“We are asking young people to make blood donation part of their regular routine, something that they have reoccurring in their diaries. Save a life by going about yours. Make a regular Date2Donate in 2018.”

“Less than a quarter (23.7%) of those who gave blood last year were younger than 30 years old, so we particularly hope these videos appeal to this age group. Giving blood only takes about an hour but can save three lives.”