News and information Winter 2013 DDonoronorThe for blood donors

AA summersummer ofof activityactivity TOMTOM FLETCHERFLETCHER “If“If mymy catcat cancan donate,donate, thenthen II can!”can!” Organ donation: We want more donors Shared your organ donation decision yet?

If you have decided to donate your organs when you die, join the NHS Organ Donor Register and tell your family. They may be asked to agree to donation taking place, so don’t leave them with the burden of guessing what you would have wanted. Join the Register, share your decision, save lives

To register and for more information visit: organdonation.nhs.uk or call 0300 123 23 23

NBS0807 Donor Advert A5.indd 1 18/11/2013 15:00 In this issue COVER STORIES 4 “If my cat can do it then I can!” McFly’s Tom Fletcher explains how his cat turned him into a blood donor 8 Digital Update We’ve just launched our new-look website, offering you a more responsive service 9 Three generations of blood donors Veronica has given blood for over 30 years and her example has rubbed off on her family. 10 Rick rallies more donors PAGE 4 A donor who owes both his own life and the lives of his wife and daughter to donated blood has used pedal power to recruit new donors 12 A better experience all round We’re making changes to make our service more donor-friendly and cost-effective 14 We want more people to consent to organ donation Although donation rates are rising, many organs still go to waste every year because donors did not make their wishes clear to their families 16 A summer of activity PAGE 14 Superheroes, celebrities and special events up and down the country helped to boost donor numbers during National Blood Week 19 Dad always wanted to donate When their father suffered a fatal stroke, his three sons knew the right thing to do 21 Dedicated life-saver hits 1,000 donations Patrick Herman began donating when he was18 and now he’s 68 he has no intention of stopping 23 Encouraging ethnic donors PAGE 16 Nitin Shukla would like to see other people from minority ethnic backgrounds join him in donating Write and tell us your news, views 25 Shining the light on cancer treatment and interesting It may sound like something from a sci-fi film, but extracorporeal photopheresis is or unusual helping dozens of cancer patients every year donor stories. 26 Blood on the frontline

Write to How we are helping to provide troops serving overseas with The Editor, life-saving blood products The Donor, NHSBT, 28 “We take concerns seriously” Charcot Road, We’re all trying to be greener these days and NHSBT is no exception. London NW9 5BG Shaun Eglen, strategic programmes manager, talks about how he is or email making our service more sustainable thedonor@ nhsbt.nhs.uk Plus our regular News, Letters, Q&A, Ask The Doctor and Crossword The cost of producing and printing each copy of this magazine is less than half the price of a second class stamp. The Donor is published by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT). Reproduction in whole or part is strictly forbidden without the prior permission of NHSBT. Larger print versions are available via the website. Design and production: Ant Creative (London). Reproduction: Portland Media (London). Printed by EPS Swindon.

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 3 COVER STORY “If my cat can do it then I can!”

When did you become a donor and what made you start donating blood? I started donating blood a few years ago. It was something that I always thought I’d like to do, but never actually got around to doing it, which is an incredibly lazy attitude, but unfortunately I think it’s quite common. The reason I started donating sounds crazy, but my cat Marvin nearly died because he desperately “Quite simply, it saves lives” needed an emergency blood transfusion. Feline blood can’t be stored as it needs to come fresh from a donor so my other cat Leia stepped in and saved his life. She is now a regular blood donor and has saved many lives. So I thought if my cat can do it then I flippin’ can! McFly’s Tom Fletcher explains how his cat turned You have supported our campaigns in the past to him into a blood donor encourage young people to smile afterwards! they are up for donating but just donate. Why is it important to Why I like supporting the ‘Give haven’t done it yet. We need to you to support the ‘Give Blood’ Blood’ message is that it feels motivate these people...Come message? instant, like you are physically on slackers! Quite simply, it saves lives. If giving something to someone who What do your wife and band sticking a tiny needle in my arm needs it. It’s not a grand seemingly mates think about you giving for five minutes is going to save unattainable message, your single blood? Ever tried to convince a baby, or someone who has donation is not going to save the them to join you? just been in an accident, then planet, but your blood might just My wife donates with me; in fact I’d happily rather do that than save someone’s life today. she was donating before me and waste another hour playing What would you say to anyone was always trying to get me to Grand Theft Auto 5. I genuinely who is thinking about giving come along. My band mates enjoy the donating process, plus blood for the first time? are completely useless around I get to walk around with a smug I speak to a lot of people who say needles. Harry would probably

4 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 Above left: Tom pictured his that’s only a few of the projects “Your single the band McFly. going on. Above right: Supporting our What do you like to do to relax donation is not ‘100 Days’ campaign when you have the time? going to save the When I’m home alone I’ll go So many. Too many! Obviously to my music room and just planet, but your there’s McFly (which is always play around until I fall asleep. the number one priority), Sometimes a song will be blood might just Dougie and I have written two written, sometimes it won’t. I children’s picture books called like watching movies and if I’m save someone’s The Dinosaur That Pooped a bit bummed out and don’t life today” Christmas and The Dinosaur want to play music I’ll take my That Pooped A Planet. We have anger out on the Xbox. Though be ok (I must try and convince written and produced songs now my wife and I are expecting him harder). Dougie and Danny for One Direction and have a a baby, I don’t think there’ll be would literally pass out at the song on their new album and much time to relax once a little ‘Give Blood’ logo on the form. one comes along. l Dougie is particularly squeamish when it comes to blood and LIFE STORY needles. l 1985 – born July 17th in London You have had a really l Tom attended the Sylvia Young Theatre successful music career, but School where, aged 13, he met his future wife. what has been your highlight? l 2003 – Forms McFly with band mate We just played four sold out Danny Jones shows at the Royal Albert l 2004 – McFly enter Guinness World Records Hall celebrating our 10th overtaking The Beatles as being the anniversary. They were definitely youngest band to have a debut album go straight to number one the highlight; they felt so special l April 2012 – Tom marries his childhood sweetheart Giovanna Falcone for us. l 2012 – Tom and band mate Dougie Poynter release a children’s book What projects are you working The Dinosaur that Pooped Christmas on at the moment? . l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 5 News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Growing Facebook fan base ur Blood Donation Facebook page now has more Othan 300,000 fans, giving it the largest following for a blood donation page in the world. We joined the world’s biggest social networking site two years ago as a way of building support for blood donation in England and North Wales. Campaigns, polls, news stories and info about blood donation are posted on the page on a daily basis. Users can share their experiences and the page also includes special features for fans to share with their friends such Organ donation summit as videos and our blood campaign creatives along with he first ever Faith and Organ Donation user-generated content. TSummit was held in London in May and Meanwhile, our Organ Donation Facebook page now brought together high profile leaders and has more than 100,000 followers – another world best. community representatives from six of the major You can be become a fan of the Blood Donation religions in the UK. It was the chance for a rigorous Facebook page at www.facebook.com/NHSBlood and debate about the perceived religious and cultural follow the Blood Donation Twitter feed at twitter.com/ barriers to donation in the UK. GiveBloodNHS. l These barriers create a shortage in donated organs amongst some of the very communities that need Benefits for stem cell patients them most. Black and South atients who need life-saving bone Asian people are three times Pmarrow and stem cell transplants could more likely to need an organ benefit from a new collaboration to speed up transplant than the rest of the search for a suitable match. the population and we know The Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry from research that, particularly (WBMDR) has now aligned its register into amongst black African and a single UK registry together with our British Muslim communities, religious Bone Marrow Registry (BBMR) and the beliefs can deter people from Anthony Nolan Registry. signing up as organ donors This means all the UK bone marrow and because they feel their faith stem cell registries are now on one database doesn’t allow it. to make it easier for UK transplant centres to find a potential match for The summit considered patients. Before the move, transplant centres had to search for donors ways to tackle these barriers through individual registries. l and promote the importance of more people from different faiths signing up to the NHS New recognition on the way Organ Donor Register. The atch out for the launch of our new Donor Recognition Scheme 40 strong delegation also Wnext June. We’ve asked lots of you what is good and bad about considered new ways of the current awards system and what changes you would like to see encouraging people to embrace made. Now we’re busy turning the results into a new scheme that we organ donation and increase hope will win your approval. You can find out more about the Donor rates of family agreement at the Recognition Scheme on our website from early 2014. l time of someone’s death. l

6 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News Update • News A very successful 2013 for us elcome to the Winter 2013 issue of from me on behalf of all the WThe Donor magazine. I hope you patients who will benefi t enjoyed the lovely summer we had this year from your gift. and hopefully we can look forward to a Our focus now turns to milder winter than in recent years. the winter months. This This year we have had some really is the time when blood successful campaigns which have focused stocks tend to fall through a on recruiting young people to become blood combination of bad weather disrupting donor sessions donors of the future. The theme of this year’s and donors being struck down with colds and fl u. We National Blood Week was ‘Know Blood, very much hope you all stay fi t and well and, if able, will Give Blood’ where the aim was to inform make and keep your date to donate. and encourage young people to sign up and As we come to the end of a very memorable year, donate. We had a great response to all our it gives me the opportunity to thank you all for your campaigns and by the end of August we had support and loyalty throughout 2013 and to wish you managed to recruit more than 3,500 new health and happiness over the festive season. donors. Many of you have already come Lynda Hamlyn forward to donate so a very big thank you Chief Executive Our Christmas message Help for Africa igeria and Uganda are benefi ting t’s Christmas time again and we need to maintain healthy Nfrom equipment we have Istocks of blood and platelets. So our seasonal campaign provided to boost their blood donation message is, ‘This year’s must have Christmas gift… is blood and services. platelets’. Working with the charity Blood for The campaign is being featured across radio, social media and Life, we have donated a bloodmobile through direct marketing, media activity and an online campaign. unit and medical equipment to the Safe We have also produced a short fi lm that can be viewed at Blood for Nigeria Foundation (SBNF). www.blood.co.uk/campaigns/christmas. Both donations are part of a programme Jon Latham, assistant director for marketing to support countries with developing in blood supply, says, “We are fast approaching blood transfusion services. that period when people are In Uganda, our spare donation busy preparing for Christmas beds are now with the Uganda Blood and New Year and it’s easy Transfusion Service (UBTS) where they to forget to make time to will help raise blood collection and donate. While many people processing capacity by up to 50 per cent. know what they want for Grace Otekat at UBTS says, “We Christmas, thousands will would like to extend our sincere need blood and platelets just gratitude to NHSBT for this generous to stay alive.” and timely donation to the people of To fi nd out more, please Uganda. This will go a long way to visit www.blood.co.uk/ improve the quality of blood service in christmas. l the UBTS.” l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 7 DIGITAL UPDATE A better experience t’s an online world today, which We’ve just launched our new-look website offering is why we’ve revamped our you a more responsive service Iwebsite www.blood.co.uk to make it more responsive to your needs. You can now create your own personal account, linked to your records, and book, amend or cancel appointments online.

Easy alternative “We want to make sure we meet a growing expectation for donors to be able to manage their own appointments,” says Jon Latham, assistant director for marketing. “These changes to our website are a step forward and may become as common in practice as internet shopping and online banking. “As a result of donors’ accounts being directly connected to blood.co.uk, we are able to offer a much more efficient registration process for both new and existing donors. All donors will still be able to book an appointment using the Donor Helpline if they choose to. The new system will simply offer donors an easily accessible alternative.” To view the new changes visit “We are able to offer www.blood.co.uk. Once on the Update your details homepage you will be able to click As well as managing your own a much more efficient through to register yourself onto appointments, once you have the new online booking system. signed up to an online account registration process New donors will also be able to you will also be able to view your for both new and create an online account directly via donation timeline, your blood the website. group, update personal details and existing donors” Visit www.blood.co.uk/donor- check medical and travel guidelines. information/how-to-use-this-site/. l FACEBOOK www.facebook.com/NHSBlood www.facebook.com/organdonationuk TWITTER http://twitter.com/GiveBloodNHS http://twitter.com/NHSBT

8 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF Three generations of blood donors Veronica Williams first gave blood over 30 years ago at the same donor centre in Leicester that she attends today. In August she clocked up her 104th donation. What keeps Veronica coming back? She jokes, ‘I do it for the hot chocolate and biscuits!’ Veronica’s example has clearly rubbed off on her family. Daughter Sharon and son Lee are regular blood donors, as is granddaughter Holly (pictured here). Veronica started giving blood because her own mum had a life -saving blood transfusion when Veronica was just two years old. She has even donated blood when she went to live in Florida in the USA for a short spell in the 1990s. She twice went along to the Palm Beach Blood Bank Donor Centre. “It wasn’t as glamorous as it sounds!” Veronica says. Last year Veronica received her award for reaching 100 donations. “I’m really thrilled to have it, and proud to show it off! And I’m going to keep on giving blood for as long as I can.” l FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 9 PATIENT STORY RickRick ralliesrallies moremore donorsdonors A donor who owes both his own life and the lives of “Sometimes his wife and daughter to donated blood has used pedal power to recruit new donors these donors do ick Mills cycled more than not know how 60 miles from his home in their blood has RManchester to the seaside resort of Blackpool in July. But changed or saved instead of asking for sponsorship someone’s life” in money, Rick asked supporters to sign up as blood donors. Rick has a particularly close connection with the life-saving role of blood. Not only did he need a transfusion himself as a child after an operation, Rick’s wife Kerry has been saved by blood twice following complications during childbirth. Rick cycled 60 miles this summer Life-threatening condition in support of blood The couple’s first child, Matthew, donation was born in 2002 following a deal, and to be honest problem-free pregnancy. However, we still do. Christian is when Kerry became pregnant always loved and never again in 2007, she suffered forgotten. It has taken bleeding at 18 weeks and was told some time to cope with she had the condition placenta the loss.” praevia, or low-lying placenta. In 2009, the couple This rare complication means were delighted when the placenta can obstruct a baby’s Kerry became pregnant way out at the neck of the womb again but soon discovered and lead to heavy bleeding, putting she had a recurrence both the mother and child in of placenta praevia. At danger. Kerry was hospitalised for 33 weeks, Kerry started the six weeks and went into labour suffering from bleeds again, Louise arrived healthy and well to at 24 weeks. She was in labour for making the couple fear that they the absolute delight of her mum 25 hours and needed 13 units of would lose another child. and dad. blood to save her life. Sadly Rick and However, thanks to expert Rick says, “We have much to Kerry’s baby son Christian did not care at Saint Mary’s Hospital in be grateful for in the work of Saint survive the birth. Manchester, a caesarean birth and Mary’s Hospital and those brilliant Rick says, “Kerry was very ill and a further six units of blood, Rick blood donors, the unsung heroes we both suffered the loss a great and Kerry’s daughter Amy Hannah who put themselves out every three

10 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 Rick with Kerry, with their two years earlier. Saint Mary’s Central Delivery Unit. children Matthew and Amy Rick’s family and friends signed Rick adds, “I am proud to help up as new donors and others who NHS Blood and Transplant raise or four months to donate a precious had not given blood for a while awareness of donating. It’s a special part of themselves. Sometimes started donating again. Rick asked thing to do; it gives you a sense of these donors do not know how those who were unable to donate pride in giving something selflessly their blood has changed or saved blood to donate money instead to to whoever may need it.” l someone’s life.” Rick became a donor in What is placenta praevia? the1990s but the couple’s ordeal in 2007 made him into a committed As a woman’s pregnancy progresses, the womb expands and this donor and he has now made over affects the placenta’s position. The area where the placenta is 30 donations. attached usually stretches up and away from the cervix. However, if the placenta stays low in the womb, it may cover the Personal best cervix and obstruct the baby’s way out. Rick has also helped us to raise This complication – known as placenta praevia or low-lying placenta awareness of the constant need – is a serious one. It can cause heavy bleeding and put mothers for new donors, through activities and their babies at risk. Women suffering from the condition may like his summer cycle ride. During have to stay in hospital towards the end of their pregnancy and a training, Rick lost almost five stones caesarean section, along with blood transfusions, may be needed. in weight, helping him to complete Placenta praevia is rare, affecting just six in 1,000 of all NHS hospital the ride in three hours 42 minutes births in England during 2008-09. With an annual birth rate of – bettering a time set by his 27-year- around 600,000, this means potentially 4,800 women are affected l old self over the same distance 13 every year.

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 11 DONOR SERVICES Attracting donors of the future We’re making some changes to make our service more donor-friendly and cost-effective

donors, the easier it is for us to be flexible and collect what’s needed at the right time.”

Attracting donors for the future Half of those who have given blood over the last two years are over 45, but to secure our future donor base we need to attract more younger donors. Expanding our donor base is a priority “We want to modernise our sessions and our relationship aintaining a world-class number of donors will not be able with donors, so that giving blood blood service is our top to give blood due to things like is something that’s attractive to Mpriority, but being cost- illness and pregnancy so it’s vital younger people and something effective is also vital. If we can make that we constantly attract new they regularly build into their lives savings, that means more money is donors to replace them. too,” says Jon Latham, assistant available for patient care in the NHS. “There are also advantages in director of marketing and donor So, how do we meet both increasing the overall size of the services. priorities? At the heart of our service donor base. Quite simply, the “One way to achieve this is is you, the donor, so making sure we bigger the number of registered to use brighter, more modern look after your needs and continue to attract new donors are obvious steps. We never forget donors choose to give blood, so making that experience as comfortable and convenient as possible so we can maintain and grow donor numbers makes good sense.

Importance of flexibility Clive Ronaldson, director of blood supply, says, “Blood has a short shelf life, so making sure we have the blood hospitals need in the We are hoping to attract younger right quantities at the right time is donors with improvements such definitely a challenge. Every year, a as free wifi

12 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 venues wherever possible, offering improved facilities such as wifi on Donating your pint in comfort session so donors can get online while they wait. Another is to make it easier to contact us online. We’re increasing our ability to answer questions on social media such as Facebook and Twitter. We’re also improving the functionality of our “We never forget donors choose to give blood, so making that experience as Over the last year we have introduced new donation chairs into all of comfortable and our sessions. The new blue chairs have upright and reclining positions, convenient as possible making it easier for you to get comfortable and then relax into position for the donation. They are also easier to clean. Feedback has been very makes good sense” positive, with donors telling us they are more comfortable and simpler to get in and out of. blood website. Donors can now So make a date to sit back and relax into one of our new chairs soon sign up to www.blood.co.uk and whilst you donate and help to save up to three lives. l book real-time appointments (see p8). We also hope to increase the We are looking at the balance able to do so more efficiently than use of paperless processes.” of appointments and walk-in slots at a smaller, usually three bed, available in a session, so you can give bloodmobile session. Meeting donor blood at a time that is convenient “We do appreciate that donors expectations to you. Surveys and feedback are may not always welcome changes Blood is a precious resource and as helping us to understand what you to their existing sessions, especially donors like you give up your time need from us. if they need to travel a bit further to donate, we try our best to ensure to donate. But hopefully they will every donation counts. We plan Efficient sessions understand that moving to another our sessions carefully so we can We’ve been making changes to venue nearby, or consolidating collect blood in the right volumes when and where we collect blood, smaller sessions into larger venues, at the right time so patients get the moving away from bloodmobiles in enables us to collect blood more transfusion they need. some areas and increasing our use efficiently and keep the blood price “Ideally we don’t want to leave of larger sessions with more donor low for hospitals. “ any donor waiting too long for chairs. More chairs means more their appointment or turn away any blood collected. Thank you, donors donor who comes in to donate,” Jane Pearson, director of Being a donor is incredibly says Jon Latham. “We want every operations and nursing, says, “A important. On behalf of the donor to have a positive experience team collecting blood from a six or patients for whom we collect blood and leave feeling great that they nine bed session not only collects and platelets, we offer you our have helped to save lives.“ significantly more blood, but is sincere thanks. l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 13 CAMPAIGN NEWS WeWe wantwant moremore peoplepeople toto consentconsent toto organorgan donationdonation ore than 10,000 people in the UK currently Mneed a transplant. Of these, 1,000 each year - that’s three a day - will die because there are not enough organs available. Thirty- one per cent of the population in the UK has now joined the NHS Organ Donor Register (ODR), but more are needed. Crucially, people on the ODR, and anyone considering becoming an organ donor, need to have Homeland actor David discussed their wishes with their Harewood is supporting loved ones. That’s because four out our campaign of ten families asked to donate their loved ones organs say no. If they Although donation rates are rising, many organs know their relative wanted to be still go to waste every year because donors did not an organ donor they are more than make their wishes clear to their families twice as likely to say yes. So this year’s National Transplant record that matches the best in the easy but important it is to share Week, July 8th-14th, focused on world.” your donation wishes and the getting people to tell their loved The main aim of the campaign quality of entries was very high. ones about their donation wishes. was to encourage more The shortlisted films featured The ‘Pass It On’ theme returned to everything from socks to Barbie drive home the message that as “We need a dolls and balloons to giant presents. well as registering, people must talk transformation The judging panel, which to those closest to them. included TV producers Cat Sally Johnson, director of organ in donor and family Lewis and Jemma North, had donation and transplantation, a tough job choosing winners says, “We need a transformation consent to but in the end awarded the film in donor and family consent to organ donation” Barbara and Kenneth as overall organ donation because the UK’s winner. Odd Socks took the family refusal rate remains one conversations and increase consent title of People’s Favourite after of the highest in Europe. Until we to organ donation. Thousands of capturing the most YouTube views. see a shift in consent, each year people also joined the ODR. You can still see the films at thousands of viable organs will be www.YouTube.com/TransplantWeek. cremated or buried, leaving others Film competition Meanwhile we released our to die needlessly. The campaign started with the own film featuring Homeland’s “We want more people to second annual Organ Donation David Harewood (pictured above), consent to organ donation so that Through a Lens film competition. Wil Johnson from Emmerdale and the UK can be proud of a donation The brief was to show people how Sky presenter Kay Burley. They

14 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 WeWe wantwant moremore peoplepeople toto consentconsent toto organorgan donationdonation (BAME) communities where there and X-Factor’s Matt Cardle who “We want more people is a particular shortage of organ added their voices to the theme to consent to organ donors. of celebrating, supporting and National Transplant Week encouraging organ donation. donation so that the signed off with the Donate Life concert, organised by Transplant Faith summit UK can be proud of Sport UK and supported by us In the run up to National Transplant a donation record that and other organisations. At the Week, the first ever Faith and Sheffield gig there was a huge Organ Donation Summit brought matches the best range of musical talent taking together high profile leaders and in the world” part and many performers had community representatives from personal experience of donation six of the major religions. Held in and transplantation. Celebrity May, the special event considered demonstrated how they would tell supporters included Aled Jones how leaders and organ donation a loved one about their wishes. A champions could special video message by Richard best promote organ Branson also urged people to join donation amongst the ODR. Visit the earlier link to see different faiths. these films. Areas for discussion included Events across the country perceived barriers Supporters held events across to organ donation, the UK and there was a huge including religion, amount of media and social and how to improve media activity. The focus was on consent rates. increasing conversations and Events in centres of registrations, especially within The transplant choir sing out worship across London also spread black, Asian and minority ethnic the organ donation message the organ donation message. l Launch of 2020 Strategy The UK wants to become a world leader in organ donation and transplantation, and with that aim in mind Taking Organ Transplantation to 2020 – a UK Strategy was launched during National Transplant Week The strategy has the backing of the four UK health ministers and the goal is to improve on existing achievements such as a 50 per cent rise in deceased donation rates since 2008. The new strategy aims to improve consent rates to organ donation and increase the number of patients receiving a transplant. The strategy calls for a revolution in public attitudes and behaviours, a reminder of how important it is for individuals and their families to support donation whenever they can. l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 15 CAMPAIGN NEWS A summer of activity Superheroes, celebrities and special events up and down the country helped to boost donor numbers during National Blood Week

ach year National Blood Week (NBW) takes place in Ethe second week of June to coincide with World Blood Donor Day (WBDD). Countries from all over the world celebrate WBDD on June 14th, the birthday of Dr Karl Landsteiner, the Austrian scientist who discovered the ABO blood grouping system. This year the theme for NBW was ‘Know Blood, Give Blood’, focusing on recruiting more young blood donors and welcoming back donors Each year, we need 200,000 new registered that it’s a lack of knowledge about Claire Sweeney made-up like donors to ensure the blood donation process that David Bowie for the ‘Come back’ that we are able stops some people from giving and donate message blood. We are trying to dispel the to keep our donor myths and misinformation around Celebrity support the process and so this year’s We also had celebrity support from levels stable campaign had an educational slant. Claire Sweeney, Pooja Shah, Dawn We also held events up and Steele and Wendi Peters. Borrowing who have not given blood for a while. down the country to raise from the idea of a comeback, as Each year, we need 200,000 new awareness and to enable people demonstrated by David Bowie and registered donors to ensure that we to sign up as blood donors. Donors his comeback album earlier this year, are able to keep our donor levels and blood recipients came together the four celebrities got together to stable. New donors are needed to for events in cities and town centres re-create Bowie’s classic Aladdin replace those of you who are ill, move to show how blood donation had Sane album shot. The message to the away or can’t donate any longer for affected their lives and to educate public was, you guessed it, ‘Come health reasons. people about the different blood back’ and donate. We know from recent research groups. Claire Sweeney says, “My brother’s

16 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 “Giving blood WBDD across the world

saves lives - This year marks the 10th anniversary of World Blood Donor Day. The focus of the campaign was blood donation as a gift that saves lives. you really can be France was the host country this year with the global focus on Paris on a hero, for more June 14th. Bangladesh –Dhaka hosted a rally and seminar, with talks from blood than one day” donors and a thalassemia sufferer presided over by Professor Ahmed, President of the Blood Transfusion Society Bangladesh. still here today thanks to a blood Jamaica – Schools were invited to join the celebration at Emancipation transfusion so I know how important Park in Kingston to encourage blood donation amongst young people. it is. Giving blood saves lives - you They were joined by Jamaica’s oldest blood donor organiser who really can be a hero, for more than started the blood service 65 years ago and is still assisting it today. one day. So if you haven’t donated Pakistan – There was a mixed programme of celebrations, including for a while or ever before, do consider seminars, a live morning show and a theatre and musical evening. coming forward to register.” The theatre event was held in Lake View Park, Islamabad, and people were given t-shirts, badges and car stickers with messages Paramount partnership on them thanking and encouraging blood donors. In a NBW first, we teamed up with Russia – In Moscow the Blood Centre of the Federal Medical and one of Hollywood’s biggest studios, Biological Agency of Russia celebrated WBDD with a unique Paramount Pictures, to ‘Help Save exhibition ‘Planet of Blood Donation’. The exhibition displayed Humanity’ in advance of their World press materials, photos, drawings and testimonials from blood War Z film about global apocalypse. donors all over the world. l Four lucky blood donors and recipients shared the red carpet with smashed our target of signing up Summer Superheroes Brad Pitt, Angelina Jolie and other 10,000 new blood donors, with a The need for more new donors stars at the London premiere. There’s total of 13,400 new registrations never ends. Last year we saw a six a chance for you to share some of the recorded through national and per cent drop in the number of excitement and win a bevy of prizes regional events. registered donors coming forward by following us on social media and retweeting our messages and linking to the official World War Z website.

Social media We are delighted with how important social media is becoming in spreading the word about blood donation. Over one million unique users accessed the blood donation Facebook page during NBW and over 25,000 of you were talking about the page. In addition to this, we gained over 1,000 new followers to Four lucky donors and recipients at the ‘World War Z’ premier in our @GiveBloodNHS twitter account. Leicester Square.Vanessa Agyemang, Emma Paine, Ryan Perry NBW was a real success and we and Nikita Mardia (recipient)

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 17 so in August we held our ‘Summer Our Summer Superhero’campaign to let people Superhero know that ‘You don’t need to be campaign in August helped superhuman to be a superhero’. Our to recruit over own donor relations teams dressed 3,500 new blood up in blue capes and took their donors superpowers to road shows in towns and cities across the UK to encourage We would like to say a massive thank you to all of you who have helped us to exceed our targets

on both of our small images that you can overlay summer campaigns onto your social media profile picture and for this campaign the image a new generation of donors to was a superhero mask. By the end of become superheroes. August, we had recruited over 3,500 The theme continued on social new blood donors, hitting another both of our summer campaigns. It media where we encouraged campaign target. would not be possible for us to do blood donors to show their support We would like to say a massive this without all of your hard work, by updating their profiles with thank you to all of you who have dedication and passion for blood Superhero Twibbons. Twibbons are helped us to exceed our targets on donation. l Keeping stocks healthy for Christmas

Blood stocks often dip during the festive season as people find themselves busy preparing for the Christmas break. But the need for blood does not go away. In the season of goodwill and giving, donating blood has special resonance. So please give the gift that costs nothing and make an appointment to donate blood. It’s an hour or so out of your day but it could help save the life of someone seriously ill. l

18 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 ORGAN DONATION Dad always wanted to donate oy Cole had reached 92 When their father suffered a fatal stroke, his three blood donations when he sons knew the right thing to do Rdied suddenly, aged 62, in July. Roy, a quantity surveyor from North London, collapsed at work following a major stroke and was rushed to hospital. Despite the best efforts of medical staff it quickly became clear that Roy would never recover. Jean, Roy’s wife, had passed away from cancer in 2005. As a result, it fell to the couple’s three sons – Paul, James and Chris – to agree to donate their father’s organs when they were approached by a specialist nurse in organ donation (or SNOD) employed by NHS Blood the surgery to remove the organs Paul, James and Chris hope and Transplant. took place. their story will help other Roy had already discussed the families facing the same decision about organ donation issue of organ donation with his Well handled family and always made his wishes He says, “What really amazed me to save the lives of two people. Roy’s clear to them. So eldest son Paul was how well the organ donation family also agreed to donate his said the decision was an easy one nurses from NHSBT handled tissues, including bone which can to make. everything. It’s amazing how much be used to repair major fractures, work they do in the 12-hour or so and corneas which were used to Doing something good period they have to make all the restore someone’s sight. He says, “From my point of view, arrangements, and they couldn’t Paul has followed in his father’s it was a no-brainer – our dad have been better in the way they footsteps as a blood donor and has committed his life to helping others treated us.” also signed up to the Organ Donor as a blood donor and he always said While some of his organs Register. He says, “We’ve always he wanted to donate his organs too. were found to be unsuitable for been a very close family so it’s a “The only thing that kept us donation, Roy’s kidneys were massive loss. going over those first 24 hours was successfully transplanted, helping “But we hope that our story will knowing his organs were going to help any other young people who be used and knowing they were Sign up now! find themselves facing the same going to do some good.“ decision.” Anyone wishing to donate their Paul said he was very grateful Paul says that when his mother organs or tissues after death to the specialist nurses from Jean died in 2005, she received should sign up to the Organ NHSBT who guided him and his several transfusions as part of Donor Register by calling brothers through the donation her treatment for cancer and 0300 123 23 23 or going to process and arranged overnight this strengthened his father’s www.organdonation.nhs.uk l accommodation for them before commitment to blood donation. l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 19 OVER TO YOU

★★★★★★★★★★★★★ STAR LETTER ★★★★★★★★★★★★★

A healthy walking advert for donating A Star Letter is chosen for every issue. My wife Margaret Hogan donated her 100th pint of blood in July and I’m The winner will be extremely proud of her. Margaret is a walk leader for the Wellingborough invited to a behind-the -scenes tour of a Blood Council. She walks six days a week and radiates good health. Her fellow Centre. He or she will walkers often comment that giving blood don a white coat and must be good for her and that she is a great see what happens to a advertisement for the blood service. donation of blood. (You must be 16 or over.) JOHN HOGAN, BY EMAIL EDITOR’S RESPONSE: Well done to your wife Margaret on her amazing achievement. She certainly is a great advertisement for blood donation. Here’s to her next milestone.

★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★★

This is your chance to tell the operation). So thank you to 46 years later fi t and well. us your news, views and everyone who donates and I have GEORGE LEWIS, BY EMAIL interesting or unusual recently sent a request for an EDITOR’S RESPONSE:Thank you for donor stories. Write to appointment to give blood for the sharing your story. It’s a powerful The Editor, The Donor, NHSBT, Charcot Road, fi rst time. reminder of how important London NW9 5BG CLAIRE WATKINS, BY EMAIL donors are. or email EDITOR’S RESPONSE: Thank you for [email protected] sharing your brother’s story Learning from The Donor with us. It’s great to hear how I really enjoy reading The Donor A change of mind donated blood potentially saved and I particularly enjoy reading the I was out with my family in the his life. Thank you for signing science articles. I didn’t realise that summer and noticed you were up as a donor and we hope you NHSBT did so much in the way of recruiting blood donors at the zoo encourage others to follow your research and development. Here in Bristol. I have always been a bit lead. was me thinking you just came to dismissive of blood donation and my local community centre, took just assumed that there is always Thanks to donors for my blood, processed it and sent it enough to go around if anyone life-saving gift off to hospitals. I love reading the needs it. My mind was changed I’m coming up to 64 and when I stories about organ donation too as recently when my brother needed was 18 I wanted to go around the I feel this is something I have learnt blood during an emergency world so I joined the merchant more about over the last few years operation. He had to be given navy. I had a great time and saw since reading your magazines. I O negative because the doctors some great sights, but in 1967 never really thought about being weren’t sure of his blood group in New Zealand I had a bad car an organ donor before, but the and didn’t have time to fi nd out. crash in which my brother, who wonderful stories you feature of If it weren’t for people who give lived there, died. Without the skill people who have been saved by blood then my brother might not and dedication of the doctors and receiving an organ has made me have made it (he needed another nurses at the hospital and 10 pints consider it more. Hopefully when pint of his own blood group after of blood I would not be here some I’m gone I can carry on helping save

20 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 FFFFFFFFFFF Dedicated life-saver hits 1,000 donations Patrick Herman has reached the impressive total of 1,000 blood and platelet donations. The 68-year-old retired teacher from Audenshaw became the first person in Greater Manchester to reach the milestone. Patrick was inspired to start giving blood by one of his teachers. He says, “I remember him talking about the NHS and how we shouldn’t misuse it and should help others when we can. As soon as I was 18 (which was the minimum age then) I went to give blood.” That was back in 1962 and after over two decades of giving blood, Patrick gave his first donation of platelets in 1986 at the newly opened blood centre in Manchester. A special celebratory event was held for him at the centre in August to recognise his amazing achievement. Patrick says, “To be honest, hitting 1,000 donations is just another step – it’s something I’ve done and hoped to reach. I’ll keep going as long as I can.” l FFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFFF

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 21 OVER TO YOU lives as I do while I’m still alive. and said “Mum, they’ve given you we are always told that people BOB MARTIN, BY EMAIL the wrong one! The letter in here from different communities have EDITOR’S RESPONSE: I’m glad you says Dear Donna”. “No Max. That different antibodies in their blood. enjoy the magazine and the is pronounced Dear Donor!” We If by donating I can help someone variety of articles it offers. It’s had a giggle anyway and now he recover from their illness or save great to hear that they are having wants to give blood when he is old them in an emergency then I an impact and making people enough! am happy. Regardless of which think about organ donation. KAREN HOPE, BY EMAIL community they are from. EDITOR’S RESPONSE: Thanks for PARVEZ, BY EMAIL Dear me! making us all smile! EDITOR’S RESPONSE: Thank you for Here’s a funny little story from your dedication to helping save when I took my son along to my Why I donate lives. All donors are special, but last blood donation. I recently gave I am a regular blood donor and I we have fewer from minority my 25th donation so was given try to encourage everyone I meet ethnic backgrounds so it’s great a ‘well done’ pack (thank you!) to donate blood. My family are that you are encouraging people My son was sitting by me waiting from Bangladesh, though I was in your community to donate. patiently so I gave it to him to born in the UK, and I know how Good luck with your efforts and open. He immediately looked at important it is for people from we hope to see your friends on me with a puzzled look on his face my community to donate as session. l IS IT TRUE THAT… We reply to some of your questions about donating I can’t book an appointment to donors at certain sessions and get You can write in and ask (the Qgive blood because I work shifts their candid views on what donating is Aconfidential nature of the register and never know when I will have time. like for them and why they carry on. means that we cannot tell you over the Every time I go (to a walk in session) I We are always looking at new phone) or apply to join online through either have to wait ages or get turned Aways to improve our magazine NHSBT’s Facebook page or visit www. away. Why say you allow walk in to fit with donor expectations. We’re organdonation.nhs.uk and our system appointments then make it so difficult? certainly thinking about your idea! will identify if you are already on the We understand that not everyone I have decided to give up smoking register. If/once you are registered you Ais able to make an appointment, Qand I am using patches as well can update your details and will receive which is why we are committed to as an e-cigarette. Will I still be able to a confirmation from us. offering an effective mixed appointment give blood? My brother and I have been and walk in service. Unfortunately, if the Probably. If you suffer from any Qdonors for years, but he moved to session is much busier than expected, Asymptoms as a result of quitting Cambridge and continued donating it can lead to an unusually long waiting we suggest you give blood once those there. He has recently been asked to be time. We appreciate we don’t always get symptoms have passed. Most patches, a platelet donor, but I have never been it right and we are making changes to nasal sprays and gum do not prevent asked. Why? the appointments and walk in slots we you from giving blood but bring them Platelet donation is only available offer on session to make things easier. along to the session and show the nurse Aat 25 permanent donor centres While I was at my last session I before donating. around the country. It is possible that Qcame up with an idea that may I thought I signed up to the your brother now donates at such a make a good feature in The Donor. I QOrgan Donor Register a few centre in Cambridge. If you also donate think it would be an interesting idea years ago, but I have never had any at a permanent centre then ask staff to have a ‘round the table’ chat with confirmation. How do I check? next time about donating platelets. l

22 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 DONOR UPDATE Encouraging ethnic donors Nitin Shukla would like to see other people from the process and also that people minority ethnic backgrounds join him in donating with certain blood groups are encouraged to give platelets. Of here are currently 1.2 million which is central to our Hindu faith. course I agreed as this was just people in England and North They have always supported many another thing I could do to help TWales who regularly donate worthy causes, numerous charities people in desperate need.” blood, but only 53,000 are from Nitin says that being a black, Asian and minority ethnic platelet donor takes a lot more (BAME) backgrounds. Nitin Shukla commitment than donating whole is one of them. He has been a blood blood. “Where I used to give blood donor for 21 years and knows how every 16 weeks I now visit the important it is for people from centre in Newcastle every four to different ethnic communities to five weeks. The staff there are great donate blood. and always treat me with great care He says, “My life as a blood and a friendly face.” donor began back in 1992 when I was walking past our local 100th donation community centre. I remember Being a regular donor, Nitin has seeing a couple of blood donor noticed how few people he sees vans parked outside so I popped in at sessions are from other ethnic to enquire how I could give blood. Nitin Shukla at a session backgrounds. “It saddens me the I had heard adverts on the radio lack of donors from black, Asian requesting new donors so this was and helped people in need for as and minority ethnic communities my opportunity to do something long as I can remember and I have (BAME). I know how important it about it and make a real difference endeavoured to do the same.” is for people from my community to the lives of others. to donate. Black and Asian donors “When I started to give blood I Giving platelets can often have rare blood types began to appreciate how important After a few years of giving blood, or certain antibodies that are only it was for me to do this because Nitin was asked by the team at found within the black or Asian ultimately it would save lives. I am Newcastle Donor Centre if he community.” That is why it is so blessed with having wonderful would consider giving platelets. important that the donor base is as parents who have taught me the “They explained the importance broad as possible so BAME patients importance of selfless service, of platelets, what was involved in can be given compatible blood. Nitin says, “I strongly believe that we should all take responsibility for Why platelets matter the well-being of our communities Whole blood is made up of red cells, white cells, platelets and plasma. and do whatever we can to help. Platelets are the clotting components found within the blood. They I have recently been awarded a work to form a mesh “plug” to stop or prevent bleeding. They are often certificate and a pin to recognise my given to people undergoing cancer treatment, people with severe blood 100th donation. I wear the pin with disorders and those suffering life threatening bleeding from accidents or much pride because I know saving haemorrhages. l a life is the greatest gift you can give someone.” l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 23 BLOOD FACTS ShiningShining thethe lightlight onon cancercancer treatmenttreatment It may sound like something from a sci-fi film, but extracorporeal photopheresis is actually an effective treatment helping dozens of cancer patients every year ancer treatments transplanted cells attack certainly save the recipient’s organs) - Clives but they can can show itself in the liver, leave some patients with gut and skin. For both of painful or uncomfortable these, the results (of ECP) symptoms that are are subtle and take place very difficult to live over a long period, but the with. Extracorporeal quality of life can be greatly photopheresis (ECP) is a enhanced with prolonged relatively new treatment treatment.” that is improving the quality of life for dozens of How it works these patients every year. Blood is taken from the “Patients come to patient’s arm and fed into our units with a range a special cell separator of symptoms that can machine. This separates have a major effect on the patient’s white cells their everyday lives,” says and channels them into a Catherine Howell, chief collection bag. The bag is nurse of patient services then injected with a light- at NHS Blood and Transplant. Cancer patients are feeling sensitising agent (8-MOP) and ”ECP is most commonly used to the benefits of extracorporeal the white cells are exposed in the photopheresis (ECP) machine to ultraviolet-A light. Find out more treat two conditions - Cutaneous T This causes the 8-MOP to bind cell Lymphoma (CTCL) and Chronic to the DNA inside the cells. The To find out more about the Graft versus Host Disease (GvHD). treated cells are then returned specialist services provided “For patients with CTCL - a type to the patient. where they have a by NHS Blood and Transplant of non-Hodgkin lymphoma of the modulating effect on the patient’s visit www.blood.co.uk/about- skin - ECP can help to reduce skin immune system. The mechanism blood/information-for-patients/ itching and ulceration. GvHD - of this effect is not yet fully specialist-therapeutic-services/. caused as a result of having a bone understood. marrow transplant (where the “The treatment takes

24 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 How Extra Corporeal Photopheresis is helping Daniel Daniel Gould, 27 from Exeter, one stage I had to walk knows how important these around with my arms therapies are. In 2011 his constantly bent at 90 degree body developed debilitating angles,” says Daniel. symptoms as a result of When Daniel started having graft-versus-host disease ECP treatments in the summer (GvHD) where his new bone of 2012, the nearest unit marrow began attacking his was in London which meant body’s cells. fortnightly trips to the capital Daniel was initially with overnight stays. The diagnosed with acute opening of the Bristol unit has lymphoblastic leukaemia in made a huge difference as November 2006 following it has saved Daniel time and a blood test. He was uncomfortable train journeys immediately given an and it has meant his wife Lucy essential blood transfusion can join him for added support. to boost his levels of “After the treatment I am a haemoglobin which were little tired but I have no other dangerously low. Daniel side effects. It takes around an then had three years of chemotherapy but suffered a hour and a half to two hours. The nurses are brilliant relapse and needed a bone marrow transplant. It was and they put 100 per cent of their time into you,” as a result of this transplant that he developed GvHD. he says. “GvHD is to do with the new bone marrow Daniel has seen a gradual change in his condition attacking the host body. It can cause all sorts of during the course of his treatments and says his problems. I had problems with my stomach, my overall condition is now much improved. “If I look at eyes and with my skin. It caused a thickening and myself now from what I was four or five years ago, tightening of the skin which restricts movement. At it’s amazing really.” l approximately two hours and is of this therapy is that it can help made up of two procedures on “One of the biggest reduce the large doses of steroids consecutive days,” says Catherine. that, for example, bone marrow “The majority of our patients are benefits of this transplant patients need. Steroids on long-term treatment plans and therapy is that it are usually the first treatment used visit their treatment centre every to prevent or treat GvHD. two to four weeks depending on can help reduce Unfortunately, taken over a their individual needs. the large doses of long period of time, steroids can “Between April 2012 and March increase the risk of serious or even 2013 we treated 85 people at our steroids that, for life-threatening infections and two ECP units in Manchester and in some patients high doses Bristol. We are planning to expand example, bone of steroids are required, or the the number of treatment centres so marrow transplant treatment may not be effective patients can get access to treatment at all. ECP on the other hand does nearer to where they live.” patients need” not cause any suppression of the One of the biggest benefits immune system. l

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 25 AROUND THE WORLD BloodBlood onon thethe frontlinefrontline How we are helping to provide troops serving oversees with life-saving blood products ince 2005, we have been Sworking with the Ministry of Defence to provide a global, safe and secure supply of blood to military personnel. Blood donated in the UK is regularly shipped over to combat zones and over 8,000 blood components have been delivered overseas in the past year. Britain is the only nation regularly shipping fresh platelets to troops. and sterile. If bad weather delays Captain Sarah Wilkinson took deliveries to the hospitals then special training so she could Frontline challenge soldiers or medical staff on the offer a blood donation service Getting blood products to the ground may step in to offer a life- on the front line frontline is often a challenge. saving donation in an emergency. hospitals in Iraq and Afghanistan. Blood, plasma and platelets The teams enable soldiers to must be transported safely over Donation on the ground donate platelets out in the field in thousands of miles to military In 2008, Dr Heidi Doughty, an emergency situations. They must hospitals situated in hot, dusty NHSBT consultant in transfusion still meet the same donor guidelines environments. We use specially and active member of the Territorial as in the UK and each donor faces designed containers to keep Army, helped set up operational the same vigorous testing as back everything at the right temperature apheresis teams at the military at home. The success of this pilot service means we are now working with the Ministry of Defence to help train qualified nurses to collect blood and platelets from soldiers on the frontline. Captain Sarah Wilkinson was one of the first to be formally trained by us and to put her training into practice out in the field at Camp Bastion, the main British military Blood collected in the UK is regularly base in Afghanistan. She is an shipped to the Forces experienced army nurse and

26 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 took an intensive five-day blood donation course that gave her the essential knowledge and skills to collect blood and platelets safely and, most importantly, care for the donor. Sarah says, “The training was amazing and the specialists at NHSBT really put us through

Above: The Birmingham team are behind the blood Blood, plasma and supplied to our soldiers Left: Checking supplies platelets must be for the front line the patient. It was a really transported safely great feeling, following this over thousands of blood donation from donor to patient and especially as it miles to military was taken from a colleague who I work with.” hospitals situated The apheresis team collect platelets twice a in hot, dusty week. They also conduct environments donor screening sessions our paces and made sure we every week so they have donation is and more than 250 were given the best, most up to pre-screened donors ready to donors have been screened since date training and covered every give in an emergency. The soldiers the apheresis team arrived in eventuality. The hardest bit was know how important blood Afghanistan in April. l putting it into practice. “I can remember one particular What the donors say time when I really put my skills The operational apheresis team are constantly recruiting new donors to use and took blood from a through posters and requests on the army’s radio station. Many colleague who works on the volunteers who come forward are existing donors who give blood in ward in the hospital in Bastion. It the UK, but for some it’s their first time and they too just want to do was a fantastic feeling as it was their bit to help others. the first time I had taken whole Sarah says, “Some donors get a real buzz from donating. They tell me blood rather then platelets. After it’s the least they can do and donating platelets gives them a couple we collected the blood, the donor of hours down time from their usually busy day. Another soldier who went into the labs to watch all the donated for the first time told me they just wanted to help and it was testing. We then followed the huge to know that they were donating blood to give to a patient who blood to intensive care where we needed it there and then.” l watched it being transfused into

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 27 MEET THE EXPERT “We taketake concernsconcerns seriously”seriously” We’re all trying to be greener these days, and projects. The UK government’s sustainability and carbon reduction NHSBT is no exception. Shaun Eglen, strategic agenda was just emerging and programmes manager, talks about how he is once it became apparent that as an making our service more sustainable organisation we needed to have proper sustainability plans, I was asked to take on this work. That was back in 2008. What are we doing to make the Qorganisation “greener”? We are committed to our Afive-year plan (to 2015) to reduce carbon emissions by 25 per cent. We’ve a number of ways of reaching this target, with the focus for the first three years on energy consumption, travel and waste. Amongst the things we’ve done so far are replacing single glazed windows and ageing roofs, replacing bulbs with low What does your job as strategic and premises. This was a relatively energy equivalents and diverting Qprogrammes manager involve? new discipline at the time and approximately 90 per cent (1,600 NHSBT has a target to reduce I jumped at the opportunity of tonnes) of clinical waste away Acarbon emissions by 25 per taking part in it. from incineration into alternative cent by 2015 and I am responsible How did you come into your waste streams. Looking forward, for making sure we meet this Qpresent role? we’re trying to build sustainability through my role heading up After facilities management into all our plans so it just naturally sustainable development and AI took on various other roles becomes a part of what we do. environmental management. before I moved to the strategy How are donors helping with How did you come to join directorate working on NHSBT Qthis? QNHSBT? I was a chief engineer in the A few strategic points ARoyal Navy for ten years and before that worked for the • In the last three years we have reduced our CO2 emissions by company that makes most of 22 per cent the lottery scratch cards you see • For each unit of blood we produce, our collection teams and today. I joined NHSBT when it was managers travel nine miles looking to re-structure part of the • We have partnered with local authorities and businesses to improve organisation into what is now sustainable travel in and around our flagship site at Filton in Bristol called facilities management – • Refrigeration is our single largest area of energy consumption. We looking after all aspects of buildings rely on it for our blood processing, storage and distribution. l

28 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 Donors are not afraid to Shaun Eglan says NHSBT is highest ranking NHS body, and Aask questions about what committed to cutting its carbon second highest in the public sector. we are doing or to voice their emissions by 22 per cent What is a typical day like for concerns. And we always take Qyou? those concerns very seriously. For the Carbon Trust for which we It is a very varied job. It can example, across the country many received formal certification. We Arange from producing reports donors have questioned what were also awarded the Carbon for the Board and external bodies happens to the plastic drinking “We’re trying to to setting up new contracts that cups at the end of a donation will give cost savings and reduce session. This made us really think build sustainability environmental impacts. It can be hard about our general waste political and involve influencing operations and has recently into all our plans external agents to build support or resulted in a national contract funding for future ventures whilst being awarded for the collection so it just naturally keeping up the momentum on and management of all non clinical current projects. waste. As part of the new scheme, becomes a part of What’s the best part of your the contractor is responsible for Qjob? sorting our waste streams and what we do” Apart from the people - I have recycling all eligible materials, Amade many friends in my including plastic cups, thereby Saver Gold Standard for our efforts time at NHSBT - it is knowing that helping us to achieve our ultimate to continually reduce, year on what we are doing is improving goal of zero waste going to landfill. year, our carbon emissions. In the our products and services whilst How has NHSBT been latest published league table of helping to protect the environment Qrecognised for its sustainability around 2,000 organisations in the and the earth’s natural resources programme? government’s Carbon Reduction for the benefit of our children, NHSBT completed a ten- Commitment Energy Efficiency and grandchildren - when they Amonth programme with Scheme, we finished 6th, the come along! l WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 29 ASK THE DOCTOR

Dr Gail Miflin Donor Health Check and answers your Donor Health Check and questions about the Welcome Booklet Donor Health Check and session and that there is no risk to know where donors have been Welcome the patients. We have a duty of care and we can only do this by asking Booklet to ensure safety of blood products each time. and donors. Every step of the Why do you need to What is the Welcome donation process is vitally important Q identify donors twice Q Booklet? to ensure a safe blood supply to when they give blood? The booklet contains the latest patients. Every donor has their identity information on: HIV, Hepatitis B Why do some of the checked and rechecked to be sure and C, Human T cell Lymphotropic Q questions change from that their blood is always linked Virus (HTLV) and syphilis as well time to time? correctly to their records (blood as reasons why donors should Our guidelines are regularly group, donor id, product number). not donate such as life style reviewed by a joint UK committee. Why is it important that circumstances. It explains the We update the DHC to reflect any Q you clean the arm prior registration and donation process, recent changes to the guideline. to putting the needle in? haemoglobin testing, and care Is it necessary to ask Certain bacteria live on the skin and before and after blood donation Q travel questions every the cleaning process eliminates the plus the consent to donate form. time a donor gives blood? vast majority of them. As an extra How does this relate Yes. The distribution of blood- precaution against contamination, Q to donor and patient borne diseases such as West Nile we also divert the tiny piece of skin safety? Virus can change and move around that the needle displaces and the We want every donor to read the the world. We regularly assess first few millilitres of blood that Welcome Booklet after they have disease risks associated with travel are drawn at the beginning of the filled in the Donor Health Check abroad. This means we have to donation into a separate bag. l (DHC) to make sure their answers reflect the latest advice for donors, How to become a donor which is contained in the booklet. The booklet is also designed to • Sign up to become a blood donor at www.blood.co.uk or contact the give you full understanding of the Donor Helpline 0300 123 23 23 questions in the DHC so you can • Most people can give blood. If you are generally in good health, provide informed consent. age 17 to 65 (if it’s your first time) and weigh at least 50kg (7st 12Ib) Why do donors need to you can donate. Women aged below 20 should check their eligibility Q fill the DHC out every (see our website www.blood.co.uk) time they give blood? • Find your nearest session on the website or use the app for Android This is important because there and Apple Smartphone and tablet devices – NHS Give Blood. could be significant changes in • It’s best to book so please contact our Donor Helpline to book an your circumstances since your appointment. You can also walk in to sessions last donation. It also enables us to • Once you’ve given blood, feel proud and please spread the word! have the correct health record for Each donation can potentially save up to three lives each donor with each donation. • We also need people to donate platelets, to find out more visit We need to be sure that the donor www.blood.co.uk/platelets. l is not being put at risk during the

30 THE DONOR WINTER 2013 CROSSWORD

Complete the crossword. The initial letters of the Across answers, taken in order, spell out a significant name in the history of medicine. Send this phrase on a postcard or in a letter together with your name, address and daytime phone number to: Crossword Competition, The Donor, NHSBT, Charcot Road, London NW9 5BG. You could win an “Amazing” NHSBT prize. Answers and the winner’s name will be in the next issue. All entries must be received by 31st January 2014.

ACROSS 1 Eccentric person (6) 5 Part of the eye (4) 9 Knight of the Round Table (8) 10 Vegetable (4) 11 Land surrounded by water (6) 12 Continent (6) 13 Abs, for instance (7) 18 Food basket (6) 20 Counting device (6) 21 Speed competition (4) 22 Explosive (8) 23 Whirlpool (4) 24 Gives way (6)

DOWN 2 Pass (of time) (6) 3 Miracle (anagram) (7) 4 Lubricated (5) 6 Measuring stick (5) 7 Rough drawing (6) 8 Writer of epistles (2,4) 16 Luxurious home (6) LAST ISSUE’S SOLUTION 14 Try hard (6) 17 Greek geometer (6) 15 City in 19 Beg (5) Washington (7) 20 Mixture including metal (5)

WE HAVE A WINNER! Congratulations to C Dench, Bridlington, Yorkshire, who successfully answered last issue’s crossword. The correct answer was: WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY

WINTER 2013 THE DONOR 31 For thousands of people this Christmas, their must-have gift is blood or platelets. A blood or platelet transfusion can help a patient enjoy precious time with their family at Christmas. Please fi nd time in your busy schedule to give something amazing...

visit blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23

Remember, you can call the Helpline to tell us if INFORMATION you have moved house or changed employers! Just call our 24 hour Donor Helpline and staff will answer your queries on all aspects DON’T FORGET information is also available on of giving blood. our website. 0300 123 23 23 www.blood.co.uk If you are not a donor, please enrol now. Fill out the coupon below, place it in an envelope and send it to NHS Blood and Transplant, FREEPOST RRZG-KUKB-EUBE, 500 North Bristol Park, Northway, Filton, Bristol BS34 7QH, or call 0300 123 23 23. Mr/Mrs/Ms/Miss SURNAME

FIRST NAME DATE OF BIRTH D D / M M / Y Y ADDRESS POSTCODE DAYTIME PHONE No MOBILE EMAIL To give blood you need to be in good health, aged 17 to 65 and weigh over 7st 12lbs/50kg. I would like to join the NHS Blood Donor Register as someone who may be contacted and would be prepared to donate blood. I understand that NHS Blood & Transplant (NHSBT) or its partners may phone, write or otherwise contact me with details of local donor sessions. I agree to the NHSBT holding my personal details on their donor database and processing this information as necessary for the proper administration of the NHSBT. MO6