What happens when you give blood?

The whole process usually takes little more than half an hour

Earlier this year the NHS launched an appeal for 200,000 new blood donors to come forward after it said was facing a "challenging" blood shortage.

Donated blood and its components of red blood cells, platelets, and plasma are used to treat a range of medical conditions.

One of the reasons for the drop is thought to be due to lapsed donors, who have got out of the habit. And I was one - having not given blood since before the pandemic.

So I took myself off for what turned out to be my 21st donation.

One blood donation can help to save three lives

There's a simple screening questionnaire and a finger prick test to check your iron levels before the main event.

But the whole process usually takes me little more than half an hour.

The Plymouth Grove Centre in Manchester receives all the donations from across the north and it's the only place in the UK where the blood is donated and processed on the same site, handling over 1,500 donations every day.

The Plymouth Grove Centre processes donations from across the north

If, like me, you thought donated blood went straight into the patient just as it came out of you, then think again.

The red cells, white cells and plasma are manufactured into several products.

One donation can save three lives.

Right now, there is a particular need for more O negative and B negative donors, as well as more donors of black heritage to help treat patients with sickle cell disease.

But everyone is welcome – even if they've not seen you for a while!