Mersey Reporter - #Merseybites #News

ALMOST 100 people have given blood at an:- 'inspiring' donation session supported by the family of Elsie Dot Stancombe, one of the young victims of the tragic Southport attack last summer.

Elsie's parents Jenni and Dave worked with NHS Blood and Transplant to organise the event through Elsie's Story, the charity they founded in her memory. The aim of the charity is to support causes that bring communities together and create a legacy of compassion in Elsie's name.

Yesterday, almost 100 people donated at the session at:- St John Stone Church, Southport, which was open to Elsie's Story supporters and the wider community. More than a quarter were giving blood for the 1st time.

Jenni and Dave went along to the session and spent time meeting donors and staff and speaking with them about the importance of blood donation.

Jenni said:- "Although the outcome for Elsie was tragically different, we know that blood transfusions were crucial for many of those injured that day. NHS Blood and Transplant made 10 emergency deliveries of blood to hospitals treating the casualties, and that quick response meant the lifesaving blood was available for everyone who needed it. For some people here today, giving blood is their way of repaying those whose donations were so vital that day. Others are donating simply because it helps people. Which perfectly captures what Elsie's Story stands for and what we want to achieve in her name, to create a legacy of love and hope."

Jenni added:- "We want Southport to be renowned for the warmth and generosity of its amazing community, not for the events of that day. Today has been a wonderful example of that. The atmosphere was so uplifting and inspiring, and we are grateful to all the donors and staff for their support. Following a conversation with a parent of a child who was injured that day, it felt really important that Elsie's Story supported this event. We hope today is just the start as we will continue working closely with NHS Blood and Transplant to encourage new donors and help educate others about the importance of giving blood."

Among the NHS Blood and Transplant staff supporting the session were two members of the transport team based at the Liverpool blood centre who played a critical role in the Southport incident response.

Stephen Kuypers and Dave Oxton were among a team of drivers on shift that day who made 10 emergency blue-light deliveries of vital blood supplies in three hours to four hospitals, including Alder Hey Children's Hospital.

Blue lights are only used when a hospital requests blood products they urgently need for a specific patient or incident. If a patient's blood type is unknown, they can safely be given O Negative blood, which makes it vital in emergencies.

Stephen and Dave transported the equipment to and from yesterday's session and delivered the blood donations to the NHS Blood and Transplant's Regional blood processing centre in Manchester.

Stephen said:- "On that dreadful day last July, I took the phone call from our hospital services team informing us of a major incident and instructing us to prepare for emergency deliveries. At the height of the response, we were making three blue light deliveries an hour, which is extremely rare. I delivered 2 urgent orders to Alder Hey and Aintree hospitals. Hospital colleagues later told us that the quick response of the Liverpool transport team helped ensure that the patients received the best possible care. The was a very rewarding message to receive, and it meant a lot to the team who all pulled together and put in extra hours that day to ensure all the deliveries were covered."

Stephen, who also made his 1st blood donation at yesterday's session, added:- "It was an honour to meet Jenni and Dave today and hear about the incredible work they are doing to continue Elsie's legacy. When I was approached to support this session, I did not think twice. It felt important to be here and I wanted to donate too as I have O Negative blood, which is the type the NHS is in urgent need of right now."

NHS Blood and Transplant Chief Executive Dr Jo Farrar said:- "It is wonderful to see how many people have been inspired by Elsie's Story to give blood, and we are thankful to Elsie's brave parents, Jenni and Dave, for their incredible support. Because each donation can help up to 3 adults or 6 children, 300 lives or more will be saved and improved in Elsie's memory. A constant supply of blood is needed every day to help patients receiving treatment for conditions like cancer, sickle cell or giving birth, as well as being prepared for unexpected emergencies and incidents, just like that dreadful day last July. We aim to collect around 5,000 donations every day to ensure we are always ready to respond when we are needed, just like our Liverpool team did that day. This wouldn't be possible without our amazing lifesaving donors, who come forward to give blood regularly throughout the year, at sessions just like the one held at Southport today. The need for blood never stops, and the NHS always needs more donors to ensure that there is always enough blood available when patients and hospitals need it. Please don't wait; go online to register and book an appointment today."

NHS Blood and Transplant is currently making an urgent appeal to blood and platelet donors across England to help fill tens of thousands of appointments at town and City Donor Centres over the coming days and weeks.

There are concerns that four bank holidays falling in 6 weeks could push blood supplies to critical levels. Blood donations often drop over bank holiday weekends, and currently England remains in Amber alert for low blood stocks.

People with O Negative blood are particularly needed right now. O Negative is the type that can be given to anyone; known as the universal blood type. Air Ambulances and emergency response vehicles carry O Negative supplies. Just 8% of the population has type O Negative, but it makes up for around 16% of all blood needed by hospitals.

People who have a family member with O Negative blood are more likely to also have this precious, much needed blood type.

Across the country, there are still thousands of appointments available to fill, with the greatest availability at Donor Centres in major towns and cities, including:- Birmingham, Bradford, Bristol, Cambridge, Leeds, Leicester, Liverpool, London, Luton, Manchester, Newcastle, Nottingham, Plymouth, and Sheffield.

Book a blood donation appointment today at:- Blood.Co.UK or call:- 03001232323.