Gary Lineker is supporting the blood donation campaign
Gary Lineker, Kirsty Gallacher and Kym Marsh are just a few of the celebrities that are urging you to give the gift of life this Christmas by becoming a blood donor.
Statistics reveal that as the Christmas decorations go up, blood stocks go down. And although 7000 units of blood are needed every day, appointments booked for December are far lower than the monthly average. In December 2010 there were 15,000 fewer donations than the average month.
More blood donations are urgently needed and NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on the public to give the ultimate Christmas present this year - the gift of life – by becoming a blood donor.
Celebrities supporting the seasonal campaign include Gary Lineker, Kirsty Gallacher, Jenny Frost, Kym Marsh and Su Pollard.
Gary Lineker said: “When my son George was a baby he needed a blood transfusion. Every Christmas and birthday we’re thankful to those anonymous donors who saved George’s life and gave us a truly priceless gift. Please, give blood if you can and save a life this Christmas.”
Last Christmas 38 year old Julie Coomber from Colchester, Essex, received a life-saving transfusion of 38 units of blood after serious complications when giving birth to her son, Adam. Doctors discovered Julie was bleeding internally and had developed a two litre blood clot. The mum of two underwent an emergency hysterectomy and an unusual procedure to seal her bleeding veins with copper.
Julie Coomber says: “Doctors told my husband on three occasions that I wasn’t expected to survive the night, it was an awful time. The fact is, if it wasn’t for the blood transfusions I wouldn’t be here today and my boys wouldn’t have a mum this Christmas.
"I was eventually discharged from hospital on 20th December and was able to spend a quiet Christmas with my husband, four-year-old son and newborn son, but I still needed a lot of medical attention from district nurses. This Christmas we’ll have a busy house full of laughter, an active five year-old and a very busy, cuddly one-year-old. I’m so grateful to those anonymous blood donors who saved my life.”
Talking about the importance of donating blood this festive period, Jon Latham, Assistant Director of Blood Donation at NHSBT, said:
“We think these seasonal dips in donations are due to the poor weather conditions at this time of year and the busy run up to Christmas when people have such a long to do list that giving blood can sometimes slip off the bottom.
"But by giving blood you’ll be giving the greatest Christmas present of all – the gift of life. Just one unit of blood can save the life of three adults or seven babies. It is truly a ‘money cannot buy’ present. Donating blood is one of the best Christmas gifts you can give. For those needing blood transfusions, blood donors really are their lifeline. Ninety-six per cent of us rely on the other four per cent to give blood. Please don’t leave it to someone else.”
Su Pollard, who is starring in the Strictly Come Dancing Christmas special on Christmas Day, added: “What better gift to give at Christmas than donating blood, it doesn't cost you anything yet it means so much to those who need it. Please visit blood.co.uk to register and find your nearest donation session and you could save someone's life this Christmas.”
NHSBT is also working to boost stocks of O Rh negative (O-) and B Rh negative (B-) blood throughout December and is asking for people with these blood types to come forward and donate in the run up to Christmas.
You can start donating from the age of 17. So do something amazing this festive season and call 0300 123 23 23 or visit the www.blood.co.uk website to find out about your nearest blood donation session.
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