“I need to keep giving, don’t I?”

In May 2024, David told his wife that he would probably stop giving platelets as often. He'd been averaging nearly a donation a month and felt that he didn't really have the time anymore.

Mere weeks later, though, David went back on his word. His daughter-in-law needed a platelet transfusion during childbirth. It was swiftly followed by a change of heart.

Having amassed an impressive 62 donation credits since becoming a donor in February 2021, and having found himself in the middle of a busy few months, David felt the need to donate less frequently.

Platelet donors can donate as frequently as every 2 weeks but for many, every 4 to 8 weeks is more convenient.

While David was considering his future donations, his daughter-in-law, Ruth was nearing her due date.

(Picture: David with his granddaughter Abigail)

Ruth experienced a very slow and difficult labour, and it was decided that the baby should be delivered by caesarean section.

However, when the hospital staff tested Ruth's blood, her platelet count was so low that they thought the testing machine may be out of calibration.

As well as a low platelet count, Ruth had very high blood pressure, putting her and her unborn baby at risk. She was treated with a transfusion of A negative platelets – the very same blood group as David.

Witnessing this unfold, David had a moment of realisation.

"Whilst this was all happening, before our helpless eyes, I looked at my wife and said, 'I need to keep giving, don't I?'

"Let's be honest, we all have busy lives," says David. "But when I saw the result first hand, it made me realise how vital it is that people carry on donating platelets."

Platelets are vital for treating serious blood disorders. They last only 7 days after being donated, so regular donations are in constant demand.

During a platelet donation, a machine extracts platelets from the blood and returns the rest of the blood to the donor. This allows more platelets to be donated at one time and donations can be given more often.

Thanks to the donated platelets, both Ruth and her daughter, Abigail, are healthy and doing well.

David, meanwhile, continues to give life-saving platelet donations every few weeks.

To meet high demand, we need more blood donors with A negative, AB negative and A positive blood types to give platelets.

Interested in becoming a platelet donor? Visit the the platelet donation website to find out more.