Men in Greenwich are being urged by doctors to "become a life saver" by donating blood.

Almost 70,000 people in London, including 2,222 in Greenwich, started donating blood in the last year, helping save or significantly improve lives.

But during 2019, only 43 percent of new donors in the capital were men, which is worrying because men's blood is particularly useful when it comes to donating blood.

Higher iron levels means that men can donate more often, and their blood can be used in more ways due to lower levels of antibodies. For example, only men's blood is used to give complete blood transfusions to newborn babies.

So Greenwich CCG has joined an appeal to men across the borough to encourage them to help save lives by donating blood.

It's relatively easy to sign up, and then all you have to do is book your first appointment online or via the mobile app.

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Sir David Sloman, regional director for the NHS in London, said the NHS "needs more men to start donating blood regularly," stating "this is about saving lives."

He commented: "They have the power to change someone’s future with a simple act of kindness. I urge every man who can donate to sign up today."

NHS Blood and Transplant currently supplies all the blood that hospitals require, but it needs more young men to start giving blood to ensure there is a strong enough donor base in the long term.

Local GP and chair of NHS Greenwich CCG, Dr Krishna Subbarayan, said: “Hundreds of local people are already regular blood donors, selflessly giving up their time to save the lives of others. But we need more men in Greenwich to sign up.

“By donating blood you will save or improve the lives of up to three people. Make a positive difference in 2020. Give blood.”

Nadine Eaton, head of blood donor recruitment at NHS Blood and Transplant, added that ordinary people could become extraordinary life savers in the weeks to come.