The Donor magazine spring 2018
Hello and welcome to the spring 2018 edition of The Donor magazine.
Hello and welcome to the spring 2018 edition of The Donor magazine.
This edition of our e-newsletter is all about sharing.
Sharing experiences, sharing opinions and even sharing blood types! Let me explain…
We’ve teamed up with some familiar faces from the world of entertainment to create a series of videos sharing their experiences of giving blood and encouraging friends, family and loved ones to come together on a regular basis to make a difference through giving blood. As a seasoned donor, could you do the same? Encourage a friend or member of your family to sign up, and go along with them, making a #Date2Donate?
We delve into the importance of the A-negative donor, a blood type that is in high demand, particularly so because A-negative platelets can be given to any patient, regardless of their ABO group. And what’s more, A-negative runs in families! Read about how Sam Hill, his father and younger brother all share this very important blood group, and how you could help even more if you too are an A-negative donor.
We hear from Joanne Wareing, whose inspirational fight with Burkitt lymphoma and the sharing of her story through her online blog has encouraged more than 100 people to give blood.
Marathon runner Sam Roden shares his ‘pledge a pint’ legacy and asks you to pick up the baton by asking your nearest and dearest to make a donation of a different kind when they sponsor your spring and summer sporting challenges.
We explain why it’s more important now than ever to share your views about organ donation, following the Government’s consultation into the proposed ‘opt out’ system for England.
We’d also like to invite you to share your thoughts and help us to shape future research led by our scientists by joining our patient advisory group.
Finally, I’d like to thank all of you for your continued support and commitment, particularly at the end of last year and beginning of this one when we do typically struggle to get those all-important donations in.
Thank you, as always, for being such a loyal and committed blood donor.
Ian Trenholm, Chief Executive
Write and tell us your news, views and interesting or unusual donor stories by emailing thedonor@nhsbt.nhs.uk