Hampshire platelet donor urges vital blood donations amid NHS crisis
Richard Murphy, a Winchester councillor, has donated 250 platelet units in his lifetime and warns Hampshire’s blood supply is dangerously low. Just one platelet donation can save up to three adults or 12 children, yet hospitals face critical shortages due to the seven-day shelf life of platelets.
Winchester City Councillor Richard Murphy has issued an urgent plea for Hampshire residents to donate platelets after receiving an award for donating 250 units himself. Murphy, who began giving blood at 18, was honoured at a ceremony in Southampton’s Grand Harbour Hotel for his lifelong contributions to the NHS.
NHS Blood and Transplant has warned that platelet donations are in critically short supply, with just 10,000 active donors across England. Platelets, which have a shelf life of just seven days, are essential for cancer patients, trauma victims, and those undergoing surgery or organ transplants. Nearly 70% of platelet donations are used to support cancer treatments alone.
Key Points
- ✅ One platelet donation can help up to three adults or 12 children
- ⚡ Platelets must be used within seven days of donation
- 💡 Hampshire has fewer than 10,000 active platelet donors
Murphy, who now donates at the NHS Blood Donor Centre in Eastleigh, described platelets as a lifeline for hospitals. “Every donation counts, but we need more people to step up,” he said. “I started giving blood as a teenager, inspired by those around me. The process is simple, and the impact is immeasurable.”
| Blood Type | Donor Suitability | Demand Priority |
|---|---|---|
| O- | Universal platelet donor | Highest |
| A- | Common, high demand | High |
| B- | Rare, critical for specific patients | Moderate |
| AB- | Universal plasma donor | High |
NHS Blood and Transplant estimates that over 900 new O-negative platelet donors are needed annually to stabilise supply. Despite 70 new donors joining each week, hospitals still face shortages. The organisation has launched a campaign targeting rare blood groups, including A-, AB-, and A+, which are in high demand.
📋 By The Numbers
- 7,000 — Platelet units used weekly in England
- 1 in 3 — Cancer patients requiring platelet transfusions
The new NHS Blood Donor Centre in Chandlers Ford, operational since June 2025, has already processed over 400 appointments. Open six days a week, it allows donors to give platelets more frequently than whole blood due to the automated process that returns red cells to the body. Each session lasts about two hours.
💡 Pro Tip
If you have type O-negative blood, your platelet donation is especially critical—O-negative is the universal donor type, meaning it can be given to almost anyone in an emergency.
To register as a platelet donor, visit the NHS Blood and Transplant website or call 0300 123 2323. The process takes minutes to complete online, and appointments are available within days at centres across Hampshire.
- Check eligibility — You must be aged 17-70, weigh over 7st 12lbs, and be in good health
- Book an appointment — Walk-ins are accepted, but pre-booking speeds up the process
- Donate at a centre — The Chandlers Ford site operates Monday to Saturday
Murphy urged residents to act now, stating, “Time is running out for hospitals waiting for donations. One hour of your time could save a life.”