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New driving license applicants in the UK will now be encouraged to register blood donors,
This initiative is a collaboration between the driver and the vehicle licensing agency (DVLA) And NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) aims to boost the number of young, regular donors.
Individuals applying for a license will receive an email containing a direct link to register, as well as an important message explaining how blood donation saves lives.
Officials estimate the message will be seen by millions of people each year.
The NHSBT reported that more than half of people who regularly give blood are over the age of 45, and said more young donors were needed to ensure the future supply of blood.
People can donate from the age of 17 and register from the age of 16.
The organization said it hoped the new initiative would build on its previous successful organ donor partnership with the DVLA.
The option to join the organ donor register has been included in the driving license application since 1994.
The NHSBT said around 70 per cent of people signed up to the register using this prompt.
It said hospitals across England need 5,000 blood donations every day to treat patients with a wide variety of conditions, including traumatic injury, childbirth, blood disorders and cancer treatment.
17-year-old Maisie Marsh has received more than 100 blood transfusions throughout her life.
Massey, who has a rare blood disorder called pyruvate kinase deficiency, said he hoped the initiative would encourage more young people to become blood donors.
The teaching assistant from Liverpool, who hopes to learn to drive soon, needs a blood transfusion to ease her symptoms and help her lead a normal life.
“Many people my age may not have thought about donating blood. Having the option to sign up when applying for a driver’s license is a great way to get the message across to people who are at the right age to start donating,” she said.
“I know firsthand the difference blood donors make.
“Transfusions were vital for me to grow and thrive when I was little and now they help me stay healthy and live a normal life.
“People mostly associate blood transfusions with emergencies, but every day there are many people like me who need blood for ongoing conditions.
“My family and I always tell people to give blood if they can. It’s very easy and you save lives.”
Altaf Kazi, assistant partnership director at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “At the age of 17 you can learn to drive and start giving blood, so this new partnership with the DVLA is a fantastic opportunity for the NHS to reach more young people who have the chance of a lifetime to donate.
“More than half of our regular donors are over the age of 45. We need more young people to become regular donors to ensure life-saving blood remains available for patients who need it now and in the future.
“Giving blood is quick and easy. In just one hour you can save three lives. Please register and book your first appointment today.”
Tim Moss, chief executive of the DVLA, said: “We are proud to support NHS Blood & Transplant in encouraging more young people to become blood donors.
“With millions of driving license applications processed each year, the DVLA is in a unique position to help raise awareness and make it easier for people to take the first step.
“This simple addition to our digital services could help save lives.
“Young donors are vital to the future of the blood supply, and we are pleased to play a role in helping more of them get involved.”