Blood donors recognised for dedication (From Bromsgrove Advertiser)

Blood donors recognised for dedication

4:20pm Friday 10th August 2012 in Local

DEDICATED donors from Bromsgrove, who have given blood hundreds of times between them, have been recognised for rolling up their sleeves to help save lives.

Four blood donors have been rewarded for their commitment to helping hospital patients.

Malcolm Collins, Kathleen Green, Chris Harvey and Chris Jewson were presented with crystal plates after reaching the wonderful milestone of 75 donations.

Each blood donation can potentially save the lives of up to three people so if a donor has given blood 75 times they have potentially helped save the lives of up to 225 patients in local hospitals through donating blood.

Altogether the group have given blood around 300 times, potentially helping more than 900 patients.

They were honoured at a recent awards ceremony held by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). The donors were joined by others from across the Midlands and beyond, with around 50 donors being recognised for their dedication.

The awards ceremony is a way of acknowledging the commitment that long serving blood donors give to saving the lives of others. It is also hoped it will encourage existing and new donors.

Shai Mistry, lead donor relations manager at NHSBT, said: " The commitment that these blood donors have shown to donating blood throughout their lives is remarkable and we hope this inspires others to follow.”

Anyone aged over 17 and in general good health could potentially start saving lives by becoming a blood donor. For details of sessions in the area or to book an appointment call 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk