Metallica urge fans to give blood amid UK shortage

Heavy metal band Metallica have called on people to give blood amid dwindling UK reserves due to the hot weather.

The band have teamed up with NHS Blood and Transplant and donated T-shirts and guitar picks which are up for grabs for those who book a blood donation appointment.

The rockers, who are coming to London on 5 and 6 July as part of a UK tour, said: "As we close out the European leg of the M72 World Tour, we're asking fans to step up and support those who rely on donated blood every day."

There are currently 2,700 unfilled appointments in donor centres across London next week. Blood types running especially low are O negative, B negative and Ro, according to NHS Blood and Transplant.

Livingstone Diawuoh, a donor carer at the London Westfield Shepherd's Bush Donor Centre, told the BBC donations had dropped sharply during the current heatwave.

"There is a dire need for blood. Our stocks are going down badly," he said.

"I'm pretty sure by next week or two, they'll issue a red alert, but we don't have to get to that level. I have a lot of belief in the British."

A spokesperson for NHS Blood and Transplant said: "Hot weather is always challenging for blood donation – more people working from home, children off school, people's iron levels can drop – meaning fewer appointments booked, fewer donations.

"This can quickly start to impact on stock levels."

Patient support charity Kidney Care UK has also urged people to stay hydrated as the chances of suffering acute kidney injury (AKI) are more likely in hot weather.

AKI is a sudden drop in kidney function and can range from a small loss of function to complete kidney failure.

The charity said the risk increased alongside higher temperatures, particularly above 25C.

During a seven-day heatwave in July 2021, AKI diagnoses increased by 29%, the charity said.

It added that those most at risk of developing AKI are people with diabetes, high blood pressure, chronic kidney disease, heart failure and those over 65 years, although it can happen to anyone, especially if they are dehydrated.

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