BLOOD donors are in short supply at this time of year.
The lifesaving substance is needed for operations, accidents, and transfusions, at a time when hospital are at their busiest.
Mail reporter JOHN CROSSLEY went to add to the thousands of blood donations in Burton this year, and to find out why becoming a donor is so important.
THE message was pretty clear — giving blood saves lives.
Striking, and simple, it’s a tiny sacrifice compared to the massive difference it can make.
“One pint of blood can go on to save the lives of three adults or seven newborn babies — and it is only an hour of your time,” said Suzanne Walsh, donor relations manager for the West Midlands.
“It’s a simple thing to do but it makes a big difference.
“We really want people to make an appointment and consider donating. Just think about the difference one donation can make.
“A common complaint is the feel of the needle, but it’s a fear of the unknown really.
“The best gift you can give is the gift of life — it doesn’t cost anything and it will change someone’s life.”
NHS Blood and Transfusion (NHSBT) says there are currently around 2,000 donors living in the East Staffordshire Borough Council catchment area.
I was about to add to the 3,000 or so donations that have been made in Burton this year.
After rocking up at the town hall I was filled with enthusiasm and anxiety, with an unnerving fear of needles creeping into the pit my stomach. I hate needles.
I registered and sipped on a cool glass of orange squash, before my name is called out I have to give a pinprick on my finger to test my blood and make sure donating won’t make me anaemic.
Moments later, I’m led through the Dove Room where several others are already making their donation.
After lying down, in a few fleeting seconds my heart raced and a lump formed in my throat. After that, I felt a short but sharp scratch on my left arm.
As it turns out, my blood was not exactly forthcoming. Apparently, my narrow veins and cold hands were making it tough going for anything to be coming out at the speed that was needed.
Ten minutes were soon up, and my donation grand total stood at 390ml — which is just short of the minimum needed for a blood transfusion.
Despite the disappointing effort, my blood would still be used in the laboratory for tests, as well as for education and training within the trust.
It was as I sat down afterwards that the real meaning of becoming a donor hit home.
Around the table of complimentary tea and biscuits I met Angie Room from Winshill, a fellow first-time donor.
“I was on the way back from shopping in town and I thought I would come and donate,” she said.
“My mum was diagnosed with bone marrow cancer a year ago and she’s had to have a lot of transfusions — she has just been released from hospital in time for Christmas.
“I thought if I can help in any way and I’m determined to do it — it’s just my way of giving something back.
“After what she has been through in the last 12 months 10 minutes giving blood would be nothing.” It wasn’t just Angie; there were others who had their stories to tell.
Yvonne Mellor said: “My husband was poorly, so you don’t know when they might need it. It means you can give a little back.
Giving blood — a small price to pay to save a life Anyone who is thinking of donating should just relax and go and do it.
Forty-two-year-old Dean Tipper from Branston said: “This is the 32nd time I’ve donated — it’s something that you’ve got to do; it will save someone’s life.”
From each person I spoke to a common theme was developing — they believed giving blood was easy and painless, and they thought that more people should become donors.
On top of that I felt fine, there was no dizziness or feeling faint. My arm was pain free. I was just itching to be given the chance to donate again.
Despite how easy it is to donate, Suzanne Walsh said it was a tough time of year for the service if they want to keep enough blood in supply.
“With the shorter days, people doing Christmas shopping and going to parties it might be lower down on people’s agendas,” she said. “On top of that, a lot of our loyal donors may have gone down with the cold or flu which means they can’t donate.
“Another obstacle that we have is that blood has such a short shelf life — platelets only last five days and blood lasts 35 days.
“It means when there are bank holidays it makes it a bit more difficult to make sure we have got a solid supply.”
She said there had also been a 20 per cent drop in the number of young donors in the last 10 years.
This year the service for people with O Negative and the rarer B Negative, which tends to come from people from different ethnic backgrounds.
An hour of your time and a small bruise on your arm is a tiny price to pay compared to the huge difference it can make to someone’s life.
If you are looking for a proper New Year’s resolution you will find it hard to find a better one than giving blood.
