Me - a donor who owes both my own life and the lives of my wife and daughter to donated blood.
I am currently running a #bloodnotmoney campaign to recruit new donors.
Last year covered 50+k running, over 175 miles cycling and took on fire, electrocution, ice, water and mud.
But instead of asking for sponsorship in money, I asked supporters to sign up as blood donors. Last year I took on these challenges ; three half marathons including the Great North Run; Five 10k's a 5k; Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge;Total Warrior Leeds and the BucketSpadeRide...
This year I continue in the same vain by running seven 10k's inc. Great Manchester 10k (dressed as Billy Blood Drop!), City of Salford and Manchester 10k's. In Septemeber I return to the NorthEast for the Great North Run and in the same month take on Born Survivor!! I will update the blog in due course but please read about last year's challenges.
I have a particularly close connection with the life-saving role of blood. Not only did I need a transfusion as a child after an operation, but my wife Kerry has been saved by blood twice following complications during childbirth.
Our first child, Matthew, was born in 2002 following a problem-free pregnancy. However, when Kerry became pregnant again in 2007, she suffered bleeding at 18 weeks and was told she had the condition placenta praevia, or low-lying placenta.
This rare complication means the placenta can obstruct a baby's way out at the neck of the womb and lead to heavy bleeding, putting both the mother and child in danger. Kerry was hospitalised for the six weeks and went into labour at 24 weeks. She was in labour for 25 hours and needed 13 units of blood to save her life. Sadly our baby son Christian did not survive the birth.
"Kerry was very ill and we both suffered the loss a great deal, and to be honest we still do. Christian is always loved and never forgotten. It has taken some time to cope with the loss.”
In 2009, we were delighted when Kerry became pregnant again but soon discovered she had a recurrence of placenta praevia. At 33 weeks, Kerry started suffering from bleeds again, we feared that we would lose another child.
However, thanks to expert care at Saint Mary's Hospital in Manchester, a caesarean birth and a further six units of blood, Our daughter Amy Hannah Louise arrived healthy and well –to our absolute delight.
“We have much to be grateful for in the work of Saint Mary's Hospital and those brilliant blood donors, the unsung heroes who put themselves out every three or four months to donate a precious part of themselves. Sometimes these donors do not know how their blood has changed or saved someone's life.”
I became a sporadic donor in 1994, but the ordeal in 2007 made me into a committed donor and I have now made 59 donations. I have served my time on the interval study which hopefully will decrease the interval between blood donations, but we will have to wait a while before this can be assessed formally. I started donating platelets something I have discussed with the Blood Service and they are happy with based on the demand at the time. However, recently I have returned to donating whole blood due to a lowering of my platelet count. Always good to know the blood service take care of the donor's health too.
I have also helped the Blood Service to raise awareness of the constant need for new donors, through activities like last years challenges and #bloodnotmoney campaigning. During training and through Slimming World I have lost over five stones in weight, helping me gain a new lease of life and the take on these personal challenges whilst continuing to drive for more new donors along the way. In 2014 I made it through to the semi finals of Slimming World's Man of the Year. I have been published in the Slimming World magazine and not one to pass up an opportunity to promote the blood service this obviously featured in the article - http://www.slimmingworld.com/success-stories/rick-mills.aspx
Some family, friends and colleagues have signed up as new donors and others who had not given blood for a while started donating again.
“I am proud to help NHS Blood and Transplant raise awareness of blood donation. It's a special thing to do; it gives you a sense of pride in giving something selflessly to whoever may need it regardless of who they are. Plus you always get a cup of tea and a biscuit! Putting my efforts into gaining blood donors matters to me and fits with the way I wish to commemorate our Son's loss hopefully by bringing something life giving to others.
What the National Blood Service said about the campaign:-
Amanda Eccles, Senior Marketing Coordinator at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "We would like to thank Rick for his continuous support of blood donation through his #bloodnotmoney campaign.
“Rick has managed to recruit countless new blood donors which helps us to ensure that blood stocks remain healthy. We always need new donors and we hope Rick and his work inspires others to sign up and donate."
What is placenta praevia?
As a woman's pregnancy progresses, the womb expands and this affects the placenta's position. The area where the placenta is attached usually stretches up and away from the cervix.
However, if the placenta stays low in the womb, it may cover the cervix and obstruct the baby's way out.
This complication – known as placenta praevia or low-lying placenta – is a serious one. It can cause heavy bleeding and put mothers and their babies at risk. Women suffering from the condition may have to stay in hospital towards the end of their pregnancy and a caesarean section, along with blood transfusions, may be needed.
Placenta praevia is rare, affecting just six in 1,000 of all NHS hospital births in England during 2008-09. With an annual birth rate of around 600,000, this means potentially 4,800 women are affected every year.
So please support me throughout the year and sign up to give blood, and if you cannot then please nominate someone who would be willing.
Campaign challenges so far
Wilmslow Half Marathon
First ever half marathon. It was challenging to say the least but I managed it in 2:04:00. Room for improvement.
Great Manchester 10k
This was a tremendous day. The Manchester people cheered us all on. I exceeded my own expectations and produce a PB 50:43.
www.blood.co.uk
@GiveBloodNHS
#bloodnotmoney @MancMills
No comments:
Post a Comment