BLOOD donors in Rugby are being urged to come forward as hospitals predict a shortage in life-saving donations over the festive season.
NHS Blood and Transplant revealed just under 90 donation appointments were still available in Rugby throughout December – and asked donors in the town to donate before Christmas to ensure hospitals can continue to treat patients.
A spokeswoman said many children and adults would need transfusions over the festive period as treatment for a blood condition or cancer, or due to surgery, childbirth or an accident.
At only 18 months old, Teddy Carter has received over 40 units of blood, platelets and other blood products to treat Multisystem Langerhans cell histocytosis – a rare form of cancer affecting Teddy’s liver, spleen, lymph nodes and bonemarrow.
Teddy was diagnosed at Birmingham Children’s Hospital in April, where he needed units of blood or platelets every other day for 16 weeks. Teddy’s parents Jennie and Dean were told at the start of Teddy’s treatment that he was blood-product dependant – meaning units of blood were vital for his treatment.
Jennie and Dean said: “Teddy is doing really well at the moment. We were allowed home from the hospital in August and now have monthly appointments with his consultant. Teddy is back to playing and being a fun-loving little boy.
“The blood he received bought colour back to his cheeks and gave him energy to deal with his treatment. Without these vital transfusions initially keeping Teddy alive he wouldn’t be here today. We are eternally grateful to everyone who takes the time to donate blood.”
NHS Blood and Transplant regional donor marketing operations manager Shailesh Mistry said: “Blood stock levels can dip over the busy festive period, but we need our loyal donors in Rugby more than ever at this time of year to help us meet increased demand from hospitals for lifesaving blood over the festive period.
“People of all blood groups are being asked to make lifesaving appointments in the run up to and over Christmas, but vulnerable groups like O negative, B negative and A negative platelets are particularly important.
“It’s also important we get donations from across the country’s diverse population, as some disorders are more common in certain ethnic backgrounds and patients need to receive well matched blood. People from the same ethnic background are more likely to have matching blood types
“Please make and keep a date to donate in December. If you need to cancel please give us at least three days’ notice so we can open up the appointment to another donor.”
Visit www.blood.co.uk or call the Donor Line on 0300 123 23 23 to make an appointment, or search mobile phone app stores for ‘NHSGiveBlood’ to download the app.
