The History of Donating Blood

Blood and the history of blood transfusion and donation

blood service

Blood and the history of blood transfusion and donation

blood service

Almost twenty years ago the National Blood Service was set up to collect and supply blood to hospitals in North Wales and England, but how did it all begin?

Discovery of Systemic Circulation

In 1628 William Harvey discovered that blood circulates round the body. He was the first physician to fully describe in detail the systemic circulation and properties of blood being pumped around the brain and the body by the heart. He studied eels, fish and pre-hatched chicks to study the heart beating. The architect of St. Paul’s Cathedral, Sir Christopher Wren, actually experimented with injecting fluids into the circulation systems of animals using an instrument invented by William Harvey.

The First Blood Transfusion

By 1665 the first successful blood transfusion had taken place, carried out by Dr Richard Lower. Dogs were used as the donor and recipient. Lower was also the first to notice that blood changes as it passes through the lungs and the difference between arterial and venous blood. Lower worked with Sir Edmund King to transfuse a sheep’s blood into a man who was mentally ill. Lower was very interested in the removal of old blood and the infusion of fresh blood to improve health. it was difficult to find subjects who wanted to be transfused as many humans died after the experiment. It was not until nearly 250 years later when Dr. Karl Landsteiner discovered the ABO blood group system that medical science realised human patients need to be given compatible blood.

Discovery of the ABO Blood Group System

In 1900 Dr. Karl Landsteiner had already made one of the greatest discoveries of the 20th century, the ABO blood group system. He found that human patients needed blood that was compatible with their own in order to have a transfusion. Karl Landsteiner even discovered the polio virus and was key in creating its vaccine and was inducted into the Polio Hall of Fame. Landsteiner received a Nobel Prize for his work on the blood group systems.

National Blood Service

1946, the Blood Transfusion Service was formed and in 1996 the National Blood Service was set up to provide blood supplies around England and North Wales.

8,000 units of blood are now needed everyday to meet the demands of hospitals. That’s nearly 3 million units a year. Thanks to Karl Landsteiner we know that their are four main blood types – O, A, B and AB, group O is the most common which means it is also in the highest demand. Red blood cells have a shelf life of 35 days, while platelets are as little as 5 days.

Anyone aged between 17 and 65 can now become a blood donor, and regular donors can donate again and again as long as they remain in good health.

Only around 4% of the population donate their blood 2-3 times a year. At Openhouse we encourage anyone that can to donate as you could do so much good and save lives.

If you work for the National Blood Service and you are interested in any bespoke bags that could aid with your work please visit the openhouse commercial site or get in touch.