This Halloween, English Heritage is teaming up with NHS Blood and Transplant to give visitors a chance to discover their blood type. Free self-testing kits will be handed out on 31st October at sites including Whitby Abbey, Dover Castle and Eltham Palace.
The initiative aims to boost donations for the NHS, which needs nearly 5,000 blood donations every day. O negative and B negative blood types are in urgent demand, as are donors of Black heritage to help sickle cell patients.
“Our Halloween events always bring history to life – and this year, we’re adding a life-saving twist. Whitby Abbey, linked with Dracula, is the perfect backdrop for this initiative,” said Mark Williamson, English Heritage Regional Partnership Manager.
Visitors take the kits home and use a small drop of blood on a test card to reveal their likely blood type in around five minutes. Confirmation occurs at the first blood donation.
“Giving blood takes about an hour, and each donation can save up to three people. Every drop counts,” said Altaf Kazi, Assistant Director of Partnerships at NHS Blood and Transplant.
Fewer than half of UK adults know their blood type, and only around 3% donate. Over 60,000 donation appointments are available nationwide in the next six weeks. Book at www.blood.co.uk
