Meet the people who have faced adversity and survived. For many of these people, their lives have been saved by the kindness of blood and platelet donors.
“No one truly understands the importance of blood or platelet donations – until someone you know receives them”.
“I can recall every unit of blood, every unit of platelets and every healthcare professional responsible for saving her life.”
Give someone the best gift this Christmas by giving blood - A mother who needed in-the-womb blood transfusions during her pregnancy and a man who depends on regular, lifesaving blood donations are encouraging communities across Wales to give ‘the best gift’ this Christmas by donating blood. The Welsh Blood Service is preparing to face Winter pressures on its services and is hoping their new Christmas campaign, … Continue reading Give someone the best gift this Christmas by giving blood
Son’s pledge to raise awareness of blood donations after losing his father to cancer - A young blood donor from Swansea is on a mission to inspire other young people to follow in his footsteps. After losing his father to stomach cancer in 2014, Shaun Morgans became one of the youngest donors in the UK to make over 25 blood donations. Every donation can help up to three patients meaning … Continue reading Son’s pledge to raise awareness of blood donations after losing his father to cancer
Brecon runner calls on the running community to save lives by giving blood - A female runner from Brecon is calling on running communities across Wales to donate blood after her father received blood donations during his battle with cancer. A devoted blood donor and runner, Helen Kendrick has given blood for two decades, making over 30 blood donations. Now Helen is supporting ‘Giving Runs in Your Blood’, a … Continue reading Brecon runner calls on the running community to save lives by giving blood
Three “blood brothers” celebrated for helping hundreds of patients in need - Three men from Newtown, Powys are encouraging more people to give blood. Together they have made a combined 263 blood donations, providing enough blood to save the lives of over 700 adults or 1,500 babies. Nicknamed the “Powys blood brothers”, Chris Reynolds, Mark Woodhouse and Dave Morris have committed decades to helping patients in … Continue reading Three “blood brothers” celebrated for helping hundreds of patients in need
Cancer survivor and footballer is urging Welsh communities to become lifesavers - A blood cancer survivor and North Wales footballer is urging people to become life-saving blood donors in Wales. Daniel Gosset, 26, from Y Felinheli, is known for his displays in midfield, playing for the likes of The New Saints, Rhyl, Bangor City, Cefn Druids and Bala Town. But following his diagnosis with Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma, a … Continue reading Cancer survivor and footballer is urging Welsh communities to become lifesavers
First Minister marks landmark change in blood donation rules - The First Minister has given blood on World Blood Donor Day (14 June) to mark the change in eligibility rules allowing more people to donate. As part of a four-nation agreement, the Welsh Government announced in December the ending of blanket restrictions which prevented many LGBT+ people from giving blood. The First Minister gave his … Continue reading First Minister marks landmark change in blood donation rules
Landmark blood donation changes introduced in Wales on World Blood Donor Day - More people may be eligible to donate blood or platelets today in Wales on World Blood Donor Day (Monday 14 June) following changes to the eligibility questions asked. All donors, regardless of gender, will now be asked a new set of questions about sexual behaviours, focused mainly on the last three months, meaning that … Continue reading Landmark blood donation changes introduced in Wales on World Blood Donor Day
Son’s fitting tribute to lifesaving father - A man from Connah’s Quay recently donated blood to mark what would have been his father’s 100th blood donation. Andy Hughes’ father, a lifelong blood donor from Flintshire, had always been determined to reach one hundred blood donations, but sadly passed away after making 99 blood donations. In a heartfelt tribute, Andy contacted the Welsh … Continue reading Son’s fitting tribute to lifesaving father
Supporting World Cancer Day - World Cancer Day aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about cancer. According to Cancer Research UK one in two people in Great Britain will get cancer in their lifetime. People diagnosed with cancer, particularly those people who have not sought advice from professionals, need support more than … Continue reading Supporting World Cancer Day
Wales’ first plasmapheresis donor backs call for more donors in Wales to step forward - The first donor in Wales to donate plasma through the Welsh Blood Service’s new ‘plasmapheresis’ process is calling on other males who have recovered from COVID-19 to consider donating their plasma to support medical trials. Clinical trials are currently underway to explore if the antibody-rich plasma of recovered Covid-19 patients could be used in the … Continue reading Wales’ first plasmapheresis donor backs call for more donors in Wales to step forward
Recovered Covid-19 patients urged to donate plasma through innovative new process - The Welsh Blood Service is calling on males that have tested positive for Covid-19 and recovered from the virus to help the NHS potentially save lives by donating their plasma. Two major UK clinical trials, RECOVERY and REMAP-CAP, are currently exploring if antibody-rich plasma from recovered Covid-19 patients could be used to treat patients battling … Continue reading Recovered Covid-19 patients urged to donate plasma through innovative new process
New Report: UK stem cell register reaches two million - More than two million people have registered to become stem cell donors the UK, new figures released today reveal. The UK stem cell register had an immensely successful year in 2019/20, with 326,756 new donors added – over 100,000 more than the previous year. The UK stem cell register is known as the Anthony Nolan … Continue reading New Report: UK stem cell register reaches two million
Three of a kind… Pontypool family defies the odds to give three lifesaving bone marrow donations - Three generations of a lifesaving Pontypool family have defied the odds by each being selected to donate their life-saving bone marrow to three complete strangers thousands of miles away. Allan (65), Chris (33) and Corey Taylor (25) were all selected from the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry as the only suitable matches in the … Continue reading Three of a kind… Pontypool family defies the odds to give three lifesaving bone marrow donations
71 year old marks the return of donors aged 70 or over by making his 800th donation. - Following the First Minister’s announcement that Welsh Government’s shielding guidance has been paused, the Welsh Blood Service is pleased to announce existing donors aged 70 or older, are once again able to donate. Up until the 16th August existing donors aged 70 or over had been temporarily deferred by the Welsh Blood Service in line … Continue reading 71 year old marks the return of donors aged 70 or over by making his 800th donation.
Granddaughter thanks blood donors for giving grandfather priceless, “extra” year. - A granddaughter from Torfaen is thanking blood donors across Wales for giving her family valuable time with her grandfather after he was diagnosed with cancer in 2018. Holly Davies, 19 stated grandfather David Rees received over 60 blood and four platelet donations over an 18 month period after he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukaemia, … Continue reading Granddaughter thanks blood donors for giving grandfather priceless, “extra” year.
“Save lives” for World Cancer Day says Caerphilly donor after reaching 1,000 donations. - “Save lives” for World Cancer Day says Caerphilly donor after reaching 1,000 donations. A retired steelworker from Caerphilly is calling on more people to give blood or platelets this World Cancer Day (February 4th) after he reached an incredible 1,000 donations for the Welsh Blood Service, a milestone which took over four decades to achieve. … Continue reading “Save lives” for World Cancer Day says Caerphilly donor after reaching 1,000 donations.
Students and staff at Y Pant School potentially save over 180 lives - Students and staff from Y Pant School, Talbot Green, have been thanked by the Welsh Blood Service for hosting their first blood donation clinic to help patients in need across the country. The school was also joined by students from Bryn Celynnog Comprehensive School, Beddau (Pontypridd). On the day, 61 blood donations were made, 42 … Continue reading Students and staff at Y Pant School potentially save over 180 lives
Father and son reach milestone blood donations together - A Pembrokeshire father and son have been recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for donating enough blood to have potentially saved or improved up to 450 lives. Retired Head Verger of St Davids Cathedral, Barrie Webb, from Haverfordwest, was one of the local donors that were recognised at a recent awards ceremony for reaching the … Continue reading Father and son reach milestone blood donations together
“Thank you kind stranger” – Caerphilly mum pens heartfelt poem to the bone marrow donor that saved her life - A cancer survivor who received a lifesaving bone marrow donation from someone she has never met has written a heartfelt poem to say thank you to the man who saved her life on World Bone Marrow Donor Day (15th September). Kelly Coombes, a 28 year-old mother from Caerphilly, was diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia, a … Continue reading “Thank you kind stranger” – Caerphilly mum pens heartfelt poem to the bone marrow donor that saved her life
Blood donor of 40 years encourages others to give - A Swansea woman who has potentially saved 300 lives by giving blood over the last 40 years is using the NHS’ 70th birthday (July 5) to encourage more people to start donating. Marian Williams, 61 from Killay, is set to celebrate her 100th blood donation this year just months after the NHS turns 70 on … Continue reading Blood donor of 40 years encourages others to give
Karen’s story - A Caernarfon woman who received three units of blood after trauma during childbirth is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to blood donors across Wales. Karen White, 36 of Groeslon, received three units of blood at Ysbyty Gwynedd to support her recovery from a serious Haematoma after having … Continue reading Karen’s story
Rhydian’s story - A Cardiff man whose mother received blood after giving birth is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to blood donors across Wales. Rhydian Bowen-Phillips, 41 of Grangetown, is thanking donors after his mother received blood at Aberdare Hospital to support her recovery following complications during Rhydian’s childbirth. Rhydian … Continue reading Rhydian’s story
Nettie’s story - Cardiff parents say ‘thank you’ to donors who helped their little girl A mother and father whose daughter received blood products after major surgery at six weeks old is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to blood donors across Wales. Nettie, now 20 months old of Llandaff, received … Continue reading Nettie’s story- Alison’s Story - A Newport woman who received two units of blood when she was pregnant with her daughter is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to blood donors across Wales for saving their lives. Alison Powell, 49, received two pints of blood over a three-week period at the Royal Gwent … Continue reading Alison’s Story
Kosta’s Story - A Cardiff man who relies on blood donations in his role as a medic for the Wales Air Ambulance Charity is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to donors across the country. Dr Kosta Morley and his colleagues at the Charity made 50 lifesaving blood transfusions in 2017. … Continue reading Kosta’s Story- Jennifer’s Story - A Bangor woman who received 22 units of blood during childbirth is using World Blood Donor Day (June 14) to say a big ‘thank you’ to blood donors across Wales. Jennifer Charlton, 43 of Tal-y-bont, received 22 units of blood at Ysbyty Gwynedd to support her recovery from a post-partum haemorrhage that occurred as a … Continue reading Jennifer’s Story
Rugby players across Wales help to tackle blood disease - As Wales basks in rugby fever, players from local teams across the country are calling on the rugby community to join them in kicking blood cancer into touch after they donated life-saving bone marrow to recipients from across the world. Ioan Evans, Robert Jones and Craig Simms all rugby players, were selected from the Welsh … Continue reading Rugby players across Wales help to tackle blood disease
Platelet donor makes 656th donation - On 27th June, Keith Orford made his 656th platelet donation! Keith gets two buses to the Welsh Blood Service Talbot Green clinic every 3 weeks to make his platelet donations – such amazing dedication! If you’d like to find out more about becoming a platelet donor, visit bit.ly/giveplateletswales.
Catherine’s Story - Like many students, Catherine came along to give blood for the first time whilst studying at university. Unfortunately she failed the iron test and the nurse explained she was probably a little anaemic and took a sample of blood to be tested.
Latifah’s Story - Latifah's eleven year old twin daughters are the picture of health, fun loving girls who like playing on the computer, going to Guides and eating Mum's home made southern fried chicken.
Lyriacos’s story - Lyriacos Kanias was only 6 months old when he was diagnosed with an inherited blood disorder, thalassemia, which prevented him from making his own red blood cells. To stay alive he faced a lifetime of transfusions.
Sarah & Charlie’s story - Sarah Hall is a Recruitment Co-ordinator at the Welsh Blood Service never did she think one of her children would need blood.
Sian’s story - "My family experienced a life changing event which rather put things into perspective for me. My mum had been on dialysis for 2 and a half years before she received the call to go into hospital for a kidney transplant."
Jay’s story - "I would describe myself as an ordinary guy, busy working, enjoying time with my family and holidays in my caravan. But three years ago I collapsed suddenly at home. My wife found me unconscious on the floor.
Gareth’s story - At 23 years old, Gareth was a promising young rugby player with a great future ahead of him. The first sign that there was anything wrong was a swelling in his hand.
Orla’s story - When three year old Orla Galton was diagnosed with leukaemia her family were devastated and feared they may lose her.
