Latest news with #donateblood
BBC News
08-08-2025
- Health
- BBC News
Nottingham sisters donate blood to remember mum on her birthday
Each year, a group of five sisters get together and donate blood in memory of their mother on her sisters, originally from Bulwell in Nottingham, say their mum, Alison Chapman, regularly donated blood before she passed away three years ago aged of her daughters, Georgi Goldsbury, said on Monday the tradition had turned a sad and emotional day into a "proud and happy" one."Mum donated blood regularly because our blood type, 0 negative, is really sought after. I was too young to understand that as a kid, but as I've got older, I realise how necessary it is," she said. Georgi said her mother would be proud to see them donating said: "As a kid, I remember mum talking about how important it was all the time. Dad would go with her too."The 28-year-old has been a blood donor since the age of 17, but said going with her sisters made it "extra special"."Originally, we thought about just going for a meal to commemorate her, but this is so much better," she added."Rather than just mourning her death, we're doing something positive and helping the community too." Eldest daughter Gemma Fisher said she wanted to pass down the tradition to future generations of her said: "This year, I've taken my daughter Aidrianne with us to donate blood for the first time."Knowing three generations of our family are blood donors is a great feeling."Some of our other nieces and nephews want to donate when they are old enough. It's wonderful."Aidrianne, 19, said the experience had inspired her to donate blood more regularly."This was my first time doing it - and it feels good to help people," she said."Seeing all of my aunties come together like this made me want to try it."Now, I'll try and do it with them every year."Figures show the NHS is currently looking for more people to donate blood, as the Nottingham Blood Donor Centre has over 2,000 unfilled appointments between now and September. Jennifer Wright, manager of the centre, said: "It is very moving to hear that Alison's donations have inspired her daughters to give blood."Because each donation can help up to three people, each time they donate the sisters are saving or improving 15 lives."Right now there is a need for more people with O negative and B negative blood to donate, and for more donors or Black heritage to help sickle cell patients who need ethnically matched blood."
CTV News
27-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
‘We have a huge need': Canadian Blood Services urges donors to book over long weekend
Canadian Blood Services on Wharncliffe Road South in London, Ont. on June 27, 2025. (Reta Ismail/CTV News London) As Canadians gear up for the Canada Day long weekend, Canadian Blood Services is reminding the public there's still time and still a pressing need to donate blood. Clinics, including the donor centre on Wharncliffe Road South in London, will remain open on July 1. Appointments are available throughout the weekend. 'We have a huge need for donors during the summer months,' said Marisa Gatfield of Canadian Blood Services. 'We find that donors are busy with vacations, enjoying family time with nice weather.' The need for blood doesn't pause for holidays, and neither do clinics. Staff said the process is straightforward, even for first-time donors. 'When you come in to donate, make sure you bring a physical piece of government-issued ID, be well hydrated, have eaten and have a good night's sleep and the rest, leave to us and we'll walk you through the entire process,' explained Gatfield. For many donors, giving blood is a meaningful routine. 'Easy, fast. And they are so welcoming and heartwarming,' said Maram Aalloulou. 'I love coming here every once in a while.' John Davidson donates regularly to manage his hemochromatosis, a condition that results in too much iron in the blood. 'It brings my iron level down, and it's good for the blood centre,' he said. Others, like Eric Peloquin, donate out of personal connection. 'I come to give blood because it makes me feel good,' he said. 'Over the years, members of my family and some friends needed blood transfusions.' Then there are long-time donors like Bob Moynihan, who has donated weekly for 30 years. 'It started as a competition with a friend to try and catch him. He had more donations, and I got him,' Moynihan said with a laugh. Canadian Blood Services says 75 per cent of donors view giving blood as part of their Canadian identity — a small act with life-saving impact. To book an appointment, visit use the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-2-DONATE.
CBS News
19-06-2025
- Health
- CBS News
Brookfield Zoo Chicago hosts blood drive
The American Red Cross hosted a blood drive Thursday at Brookfield Zoo Chicago. Thursday is also World Sickle Cell Awareness Day, to bring attention to a disease often treated with blood transfusions. The Red Cross said they usually get fewer blood donations during the summer, so giving blood is more important now than ever. Donors at Thursday's event got free admission to the zoo.
Yahoo
17-06-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Upcoming summer blood drives in the Southern Tier
SOUTHERN TIER, N.Y. (WETM) — If people around the Southern Tier are looking to support a good cause and potentially save lives, a blood drive on Tuesday in both Elmira and Corning may be a good place to start. The Red Cross and WETM 'Summer Blood Drive' is set to take place on Tuesday, June 17, from 1:30 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. at two locations in the Southern Tier. USW Local 1000, located at 100 Nasser Civic Center Plaza in the City of Corning Clarion Inn Elmira, located at 1760 East Water Street in the City of Elmira If people would like to sign up to donate, they can do so by visiting the American Red Cross Website. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
CTV News
09-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
National Blood Donor Week
Maralee chats with Brett Lawrence with Canadian Blood Services about National Blood Donor Week and the importance of donating blood.
