Written by Giles Bennett
Until the end of this week you may notice that our logo is missing its 'B'. We're doing our little bit to support the #MissingType campaign by the NHS's Blood Donation service for National Blood Week.
Amongst the HummingbirdUK bunch we've a mix of people - some who have never given blood, some who give religiously ever three months and have done for years, and some who lie somewhere in-between. Our Founder, Giles, even tried to switch to giving platelets once, but was sent away with commiseration and biscuits when it turned out that his veins weren't up to the job.
In case the knowledge that you have it within your power to save someone's life isn't enough motivation, here are our six - slightly unorthodox - reasons why you should, if you remotely can, give blood :
1. It's the easiest way to help save someone's life, yet only 4% of those people who can give blood, do give blood. That's a shockingly low number.
2. It doesn't hurt. Honest. It really really doesn't hurt. The single most painful bit of the whole experience (having canvassed opinions around the office) is removing the plaster the next day. And here's an insider hint - if you're very nice to the nurses, they'll spare you the plaster and pop a little bandage round your arm instead.
3. Free biscuits. Bourbons, custard creams...even Club biscuits. Club biscuits! We didn't even know they still made them.
4. Twenty minutes peace and quiet in the middle of your day? Come on - what more could you want?
5. There is bound to be a venue near you - find out more on the NHS Blood weebsite here.
6. Did we mention the free biscuits?
If this post gets one new person along to give blood for the first time, then it will have been worth it. Will you be that person?
