Donors' blood keeps tot alive
A BUBBLY tot whose rare blood disorder means even a cold can send her to hospital for a life-saving top up has inspired her mum to call on more donors to help others like her.
A BUBBLY tot whose rare blood disorder means even a cold can send her to hospital for a life-saving top up has inspired her mum to call on more donors to help others like her.Sharon Kerrison gave blood for the first time on Friday, and is hoping her daughter Emma-Lou's brave story spurs on more people to sign up and donate.
The mum popped in to her local session in March with her sparky three-year-old squeezing her hand for support.
Mrs Kerrison's joy turned to despair when Emma-Lou was born in November 2004, after doctors broke the news that she had the potentially life threatening condition Hereditary Spherocytosis.
It means the little girl's red blood cells are round instead of doughnut shaped, and can't filter through her spleen.
This has the knock-on effect that she struggles to fight infections, is constantly jaundiced, and her spleen becomes enlarged.
Mrs Kerrison (32), from Manea, near March, said: "She also gets very tired and is often anaemic.
"Her condition is fairly stable but only thanks to regular blood tests.
"She can need blood at any time if her levels drop and in the past even a chill would send her in to hospital where she would need a top-up of blood and fluids."
She added: "I wish it hadn't taken what has happened to my daughter to spur me on but I'll be giving blood as often as I can from now on.
"I just can't thank enough those kind-hearted people who gave up their time to give blood.
"They have saved Emma-Lou and I hope by giving blood myself I will save someone else's life. Donors are heroes."
Currently blood stocks are healthy and stand at seven-and-a-half-days supply.
Due to the short shelf life of blood components they are turned over in a matter of days and the National Blood Service (NBS) are always looking for more donors to come forward.
Spokesman for the NBS Gareth Bell said: "Hundreds of patients each and every day rely on the generosity of blood donors to help them through their treatments.
"Each blood donation can be broken down into its component parts – red cells, platelets and plasma – so each time you give you could be saving more than one life.
"New donors are always needed to help replace those people who cannot continue each year and regular donors are also urged to do all they can to give three times a year."
In most cases, anyone aged 17 to 59, who weighs more than 7st 12lb (50kg) and in general good health can give blood.
Regular donors can keep donating until their 70th birthday.
n For more information, and to book an appointment to give blood, call the NBS helpline on 0845 7711 711, or visit the website at www.blood.co.uk
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Saturday 20 March 2010
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