Not enough Leeds men are giving blood because they're scared of needles

Almost one in five Leeds men don't make important blood donations because they're too scared of needles, according to a new study.

NHS Blood and Transplant says a recent survey shows around two thirds of new donors are women and it is now urging more men in the city to start making donations.

According to the NHS, men are more likely to have lots of iron in their blood. Their blood can also be more easily used for platelets, which are used to treat people in emergencies when they are bleeding heavily.

More than 2,000 adults took part in the survey, which found that only 37 per cent of new donors in 2018 were male.

It also found that 19 per cent of men in Leeds admitted being too afraid of needles to donate.

NHS Blood and Transplant has teamed up with BT Sport to launch a recruitment drive to try and get 25,000 new male donors to sign up over the next five month.

Men are being urged to give blood in Leeds (PA)

Ugo Monye, a BT Sport pundit and former England rugby player, said: "Currently around two thirds of all new donors are women. We need to encourage more men to come forward to donate.

"Their donations can be used to make life-saving products from their plasma and platelets, used to save victims of burns, car crashes and treat to patients with cancer.

“If you think of how many hours a week we spend watching sport, some of this time could be put to even better use – you could register to become a blood donor and make a difference.”

Mike Stredder, director of Blood Donation at NHS Blood and Transplant, added: "We need nearly 400 new, first time blood donors every day and we particularly need more men to donate blood.

"Men’s blood can more easily be used to stop bleeding from surgery or injuries.

"We want to assure those who are wary of the process that it’s quick and the needle just feels like a ‘sharp scratch’. If you eat and drink before you donate, you don’t need to worry about fainting.

"Plus, there are always expert nurses on hand to make you feel comfortable."

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