Appeal for O-type blood donors after cyber attack affected London hospitals

An appeal for O blood type donations has been launched across the UK after ransomware cyber attacks hindered blood transfusions at major London hospitals. Blood has a 35-day shelf life and only 8% of the population has type O negative blood, the universal type used in emergencies that can be given to any patients. NHS Blood and Transplant Chief Medical Officer Dr Gail Miflin requested increased O negative and O positive donors during National Blood Week, with 13,000 appointments available at NHS Blood Donor Centres.