Worksop: Residents honoured for reaching blood donation milestones

Veteran blood donors from the Worksop area were honoured for rolling up their sleeves to help save lives at a recent awards ceremony.
Front row - Madeline Hannow, Christopher Wojcik and Wendy Underwood. Back row - NHSBTs Darren Bowen with Tony Eaton and Cyril BlackshawFront row - Madeline Hannow, Christopher Wojcik and Wendy Underwood. Back row - NHSBTs Darren Bowen with Tony Eaton and Cyril Blackshaw
Front row - Madeline Hannow, Christopher Wojcik and Wendy Underwood. Back row - NHSBTs Darren Bowen with Tony Eaton and Cyril Blackshaw

The donors were recognised by NHS Blood and Transplant ((NHSBT) for reaching 75 donations each.

Only around four per cent of the eligible population give blood and of that four per cent, only two per cent ever reach 75 donations.

And as each single donation can help save up to three lives, between them the donors may have contributed to keeping well over a thousand patients alive in local hospitals over the years.

The donors were Madeline Hannow, Christopher Wojcik, Wendy Underwood, Tony Eaton and Cyril Blackshaw.

They were presented with commemorative crystal awards to mark their achievements during a ceremony at Sheffield United Football Club.

NHSBT spokesman Donna Batty said: “It’s wonderful that we can call on people who have dedicated themselves to giving blood over so many years, performing a life-saving role for no reward, other than the knowledge that they are helping others.”

“However, every year many existing donors in our region have to stop giving blood due to factors like ill-health and medication, so in order to maintain blood stocks, we constantly need new donors.”

“If you would like to become one of the life-savers of the future, make an appointment to attend a local session either by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visiting our website - www.blood.co.uk.”

“We welcome new donors aged from 17 to 65 and there is no upper age limit for existing donors.”

NHSBT collects approximately two million units of blood each year from 1.4 million blood donors.