Saving Lives!

Every blood donor plays a vital role in making sure hospital patients get the blood that they need and by expanding the donor centre it means that the donor experience will be improved and it will enable thousands more donations to be collected.

Mike Stredder, Director of Blood Donation, said;

“We would like to thank the Royal College of Nursing for their support in ensuring donors can continue to donate during this time.”

Each donation has its own story and thanks to scientific and medical advances, so many result in amazing life changing successes. We have just two of those inspiring stories here.

In January 2009, Bea Holman-Brooks from Okehampton was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukemia. Bea who was only 11 at the time had to endure 28 months of grueling treatment at Bristol children’s hospital and later at the Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital. Her treatment included chemotherapy, lumbar punctures and a series of medication. Bea also required 16 units of blood and 4 platelet transfusions to help support her treatment. Bea said “Before each transfusion, I remember feeling very tired but half way through the three-and-a-half-hour process I’d feel awake because of the new blood.” Bea who is now 21 has since gone on to complete her GCSE’s and A-Levels and is currently studying her final year of nursing at Plymouth University. Bea was also given the all clear in 2016!

Sienna MacPherson recently completed her work experience with us and told us how blood donation has impacted her life and resulted in Sienna wanting to pursue nursing as a career.

“During my mum’s pregnancy she developed pre-eclampsia which can cause babies to be born prematurely. I was born at 27 weeks and needed a blood transfusion because I had a lack of red blood cells. It ultimately saved my life!”

If you are interested in giving blood you can find out more by visiting www.blood.co.uk. Giving blood really does save lives!