Latest news with #WelshBloodService
North Wales Chronicle
14 hours ago
- Health
- North Wales Chronicle
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Rhyl Journal
16 hours ago
- Health
- Rhyl Journal
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available across the region.
Leader Live
2 days ago
- Health
- Leader Live
Welsh father calls for blood donors after saving son's life
Seven-year-old Jasper Hodgson-Smith, from Swansea, was diagnosed with a rare and life-threatening blood disorder called Activated PI3K Delta Syndrome (APDS). His father, Matt, was found to be a perfect stem cell match, giving Jasper a second chance at life. Matt donating stem cells (Image: Welsh Blood Service) The family is now sharing their story during National Blood Donor Week, which runs from June 9 to 15, to encourage more people across Wales to donate blood and stem cells through the Welsh Blood Service. Sophie Hodgson-Smith, Jasper's mother, said: "From eight months old, Jasper exhibited numerous symptoms, including lethargy, persistent high temperatures, and a lack of appetite. "Due to the rarity of his blood disorder, it took a long time to identify his condition, which was thought to be chest infections, meaning he was regularly prescribed antibiotics and admitted to hospital around six to eight times a year." Matt with his son (Image: Welsh Blood Service) APDS is extremely rare, with Jasper believed to be the only child in Wales with the condition and one of just 35 patients in the UK. APDS affects the immune system, and for young patients, a stem cell transplant is often the only curative treatment. Jasper's care involved multiple blood and platelet transfusions, immunoglobulin replacement therapy, chemotherapy, and ultimately a stem cell transplant. Only one in four patients in the UK will find a family member who is a suitable match. READ MORE: Flintshire and Wrexham's best pubs and bars to take dad to on Father's Day Mr Hodgson-Smith said: "Blood disorders are as life-threatening as cancer and require just as much resilience. "Some people think donating stem cells may be painful or invasive. "For me, the process was simple. "I would do it again in a heartbeat if it meant saving someone's life." He donated his stem cells through peripheral blood stem cell transplantation, a procedure that collects stem cells from the bloodstream using a special machine. Jasper's mother said he remained positive throughout his treatment. She said: "Despite everything he's faced, Jasper has remained incredibly strong and full of life—always dancing, singing, and making people smile, even during the toughest days. "Once Jasper is feeling fit and well, we are looking forward to spending more time as a family and have lots of beach walks and adventures planned with our dog, Pip." The Hodgson-Smith family hopes their story will inspire more people across North Wales and beyond to consider donating blood or stem cells. The need for donors is ongoing, with more than 15,000 blood donations required annually in North Wales alone to support patients at hospitals including Ysbyty Glan Clwyd, Ysbyty Gwynedd and Ysbyty Wrecsam Maelor. Frank Murphy, who lives in Wirral but worked at HMP Berwyn near Wrexham, was recently recognised by the Welsh Blood Service for helping to potentially save more than 1,200 lives. Not only has he donated blood more than 40 times, but he also encouraged colleagues at HMP Berwyn to donate on more than 400 occasions. Mr Murphy said: "Giving and supporting others to give blood and to save lives has, in my eyes, always been a must and a duty, and encouraging others to donate is a great feeling." Appointments to donate are available in Mold on June 9, Bangor on June 10, and Llandudno on June 13, with further dates available across the region. To find out more about donating blood, platelets, or stem cells, visit or call 0800 252 266.
Pembrokeshire Herald
29-04-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
NHS Wales to be strengthened following independent review
If the thought of giving blood turns on your red light with a vengeance, spare a thought for the 5,000 people in the UK who are needing it every single day of the year. Yet despite this alarming statistic, only three per cent of the population are donors. This week The Herald visited Pill Social Club in Milford Haven to meet up with local blood donors and members of the Welsh Blood Service to find out just how important giving blood is. 'It's wonderful to see people coming back to our centres, year upon year, continuing to give blood,' said Sharon Burgess, who is the clinical lead for the Welsh Blood Service's West team which stretches from Swansea to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and northwards to Aberystwyth. 'We even have people in their 80's who are continuing to give blood which is quite remarkable, but it's also very encouraging to see an increasing number of younger people coming forward to donate.' Rod Williams (pictured top left), who is himself an employee with the Welsh Blood Service, has now reached his 67th blood donation. 'But I'm still lagging behind my best man, whose donations are now up in the 80s,' he joked. # 'I gave my very first donation when I was a 19-year-old student because the standing joke at the time was that if you gave blood, then you'd get drunk that much quicker when you reached the pub.' And four decades on, Rod continues to give blood on a regular basis. Waiting in the blood-giving queue was husband and wife duo Chris and Sue Hirdle who have both been donating for the past 20 years. 'It all started with me being in the army, so I didn't have any option and had to give blood,' explained Chris. 'But when Sue kept seeing me going off to donate, she decided to start giving blood too. And we've both carried on ever since. 'It's such an easy thing to do, and everyone here at the Pill Social Club is so friendly, plus we get tea and biscuits when it's all over.' Once donors have registered, they are asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire before being screened by the Welsh Blood Service team. 'This is merely to find out whether any illnesses or health conditions prevent them from giving blood, such as having had a stroke or a heart attack in the past or a previous blood donation,' explained Sharon Burgess. They are also given a finger-prick haemoglobin test to assess their iron content. Once the team is happy, the donors can then give their blood, which usually totals 475 ml. People can start giving blood at 17 years of age; men are allowed to give blood four times a year while women can give three times a year. In addition to blood, donors between the age of 17 and 30 can also join the bone marrow registry for stem cell matches. 'It really is fantastic to see people giving of their time and donating blood but when you consider the very small percentage of the British population that donate, it's important that more people come forward, particularly younger people,' concluded Sharon. 'We've started going around sixth form schools and colleges, trying to raise awareness because the more people that understand the good that they're doing with their donations, the better.' Further blood donation sessions will be taking place at The Pavilion, Haverfordwest on May 8, Letterston Village Hall, May 19, Pattern Hall, Pembroke Dock, May 23 and Canolfan Hermon, May 28. It's advisable to book an appointment beforehand via the Welsh Blood Service website on
Pembrokeshire Herald
28-04-2025
- Health
- Pembrokeshire Herald
Milford Haven pumps up the volume with blood donations
If the thought of giving blood turns on your red light with a vengeance, spare a thought for the 5,000 people in the UK who are needing it every single day of the year. Yet despite this alarming statistic, only three per cent of the population are donors. This week The Herald visited Pill Social Club in Milford Haven to meet up with local blood donors and members of the Welsh Blood Service to find out just how important giving blood is. 'It's wonderful to see people coming back to our centres, year upon year, continuing to give blood,' said Sharon Burgess, who is the clinical lead for the Welsh Blood Service's West team which stretches from Swansea to Carmarthenshire, Pembrokeshire and northwards to Aberystwyth. 'We even have people in their 80's who are continuing to give blood which is quite remarkable, but it's also very encouraging to see an increasing number of younger people coming forward to donate.' Rod Williams (pictured top left), who is himself an employee with the Welsh Blood Service, has now reached his 67th blood donation. 'But I'm still lagging behind my best man, whose donations are now up in the 80s,' he joked. # 'I gave my very first donation when I was a 19-year-old student because the standing joke at the time was that if you gave blood, then you'd get drunk that much quicker when you reached the pub.' And four decades on, Rod continues to give blood on a regular basis. Waiting in the blood-giving queue was husband and wife duo Chris and Sue Hirdle who have both been donating for the past 20 years. 'It all started with me being in the army, so I didn't have any option and had to give blood,' explained Chris. 'But when Sue kept seeing me going off to donate, she decided to start giving blood too. And we've both carried on ever since. 'It's such an easy thing to do, and everyone here at the Pill Social Club is so friendly, plus we get tea and biscuits when it's all over.' Once donors have registered, they are asked to complete a detailed medical questionnaire before being screened by the Welsh Blood Service team. 'This is merely to find out whether any illnesses or health conditions prevent them from giving blood, such as having had a stroke or a heart attack in the past or a previous blood donation,' explained Sharon Burgess. They are also given a finger-prick haemoglobin test to assess their iron content. Once the team is happy, the donors can then give their blood, which usually totals 475 ml. People can start giving blood at 17 years of age; men are allowed to give blood four times a year while women can give three times a year. In addition to blood, donors between the age of 17 and 30 can also join the bone marrow registry for stem cell matches. 'It really is fantastic to see people giving of their time and donating blood but when you consider the very small percentage of the British population that donate, it's important that more people come forward, particularly younger people,' concluded Sharon. 'We've started going around sixth form schools and colleges, trying to raise awareness because the more people that understand the good that they're doing with their donations, the better.' Further blood donation sessions will be taking place at The Pavilion, Haverfordwest on May 8, Letterston Village Hall, May 19, Pattern Hall, Pembroke Dock, May 23 and Canolfan Hermon, May 28. It's advisable to book an appointment beforehand via the Welsh Blood Service website on
