World Blood Donor Day: Thank You for Helping Us Save Lives

On World Blood Donor Day (14th June), we’re celebrating the incredible impact of blood donation – and the people who make our life-saving work possible.

At Essex & Herts Air Ambulance (EHAAT), administering blood transfusions at the scene of a serious incident is a critical part of the care we deliver. Since 2019, our teams have carried blood products on board both our helicopters and Rapid Response Vehicles, giving patients the best chance of survival before they even reach hospital.

Staged photo

Blood on Board – Why It Matters

When someone suffers a major trauma and is bleeding heavily, time is everything. Blood loss reduces the body’s ability to deliver oxygen and to form clots, which are essential for stopping further bleeding. That’s where our teams step in.

By giving a transfusion at the scene, our pre-hospital care doctors and critical care paramedics can immediately replace lost blood volume, improve oxygen delivery, and promote clotting.

Each of our aircraft and vehicles carries:

• 2 units of O negative red blood cells, which can be used on any patient
• 2 units of thawed fresh frozen plasma, the other major component of human blood
• 4 units of dried plasma (Lyoplas), ready to be reconstituted and given if more is needed

This combination forms a powerful, potentially life-saving treatment for patients suffering traumatic bleeding. To date this year (Jan-May 2025), we’ve delivered 23 blood product transfusions at the scene of incidents.

Watch this short film explaining how blood on board helps our life-saving mission.

Collaboration Saves Lives

We could not deliver this advanced level of care without the help of our incredible partners:

• NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), and the incredible team at Princess Alexandra Hospital, Harlow, who supply the blood.
• Essex Voluntary Blood Service (EVBS), whose dedicated volunteers collect and deliver blood to our airbases 7 days a week come rain, shine, hail or snow!

We’re also thrilled to welcome Milbank Concrete Products as a new sponsor of our Blood on Board programme. Their generous support is helping to fund the delivery of this essential intervention to patients in need. By investing in critical pre-hospital care, Milbank is playing a direct role in helping patients across Essex and Hertfordshire.

We are acutely aware of the national demand for O negative blood, which can be used for all blood types, and we’re committed to using it responsibly. Any unused blood is carefully monitored and returned for hospital use to ensure no donation is wasted.

Technology That Makes a Difference

Our teams use cool bags and blood warmers on every mission. These keep blood at a controlled temperature during transport and ensure it’s warmed to body temperature before transfusion, maximising safety and effectiveness.

Providing blood transfusions in the field is one of the most powerful tools we have but it comes at a cost due to the processing, preparation, and strict governance that surrounds each donation. On average, it costs £800 to help one critically ill patient in need of a blood transfusion. Each year, we treat around 70 patients who need this urgent intervention.

A Message of Thanks

On World Blood Donor Day, we want to extend our heartfelt thanks to:

• All blood donors – your gift saves lives
• Our partners at NHSBT and Princess Alexandra Hospital
• The dedicated volunteers at EVBS
• Our new sponsors Milbank Concrete Products
• And everyone who supports EHAAT and helps keep Blood on Board running

Ben Myer, EHAAT’s Clinical Delivery Lead says “Working together, we are giving critically ill patients the best possible chance of survival. If you haven’t donated blood before, please consider doing so. Your donation could help save a life.”

To find your nearest blood donation session, visit: www.blood.co.uk

To donate or become a regular giving supporter click here

Thank you for being part of our mission.

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