Blood donors are being urged to book and keep appointments this Christmas.
An appeal has been launched to make sure every appointment is filled and turned into a vital lifesaving donation.
Winter is a particularly busy time for the NHS meaning blood donations are more important than ever. There are currently appointments available at the 25 permanent blood donor centres across England.
Appointments can be booked at Blood.co.uk and existing donors are being asked to come forward with new donors asked to sign up in the new year.
People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment to give blood are also encouraged to take that next step and make their first donation.
Between 19 December 2022 and 8 January 2023, 73,465 units of blood were collected and 74,467 were issued to hospitals making every donation vital.
NHS Blood and Transplant needs to collect 1.45 million units of blood each year to meet the needs of patients across England.
On average, 4,300 blood donations are required every day to cope with demand from hospitals and 140,000 new donors will be needed next year.
Blood is needed to help the NHS treat patients with cancer, blood disorders and those suffering medical trauma or undergoing surgery. Each donation can save or improve up to three lives.