Elsie’s Story in Southport is in the process of organising more blood donation clinics, after their first event filled to capacity immediately.
Almost 100 people gave blood at an ‘inspiring’ donation session at St John Stone Church in Southport last weekend supported by the family of Elsie Dot Stancombe.
Elsie’s parents Jenni and Dave worked with NHS Blood and Transplant to organise the event through Elsie’s Story, the charity they founded in her memory.
More than a quarter were giving blood for the first time.
Jenni and Dave went along to the session and spent time meeting donors and staff and speaking with them about the importance of blood donation.
Elsie’s Story said: “So many people have messaged about the amazing mobile blood donation clinic we had with NHS Blood Donation last weekend. We couldn’t openly advertise it because, incredibly, it filled up instantly, just from a handful of people hearing about it. We were just about to post when every slot had already gone!
“That in itself is just incredible . The response to this first clinic shows that together we can turn this into something truly powerful.
“I’ve always said we won’t let our community be defined by what happened, but by how we’ve responded to it. Introducing more blood donation clinics is this in action!!! Giving blood saves lives, and our community understands that more than ever.
“Attending the clinic ourselves, I felt overwhelmed by how inspiring it was. The room was filled with the most incredible, inspirational people, from the amazing donors, you are all heroes, to the extraordinary blood team. We were surrounded by amazing people, quietly making a difference right there and then. Saving lives. It was truly an inspiration.
“Our inspiration is a special family, directly impacted by the events of that day, wanting to make a difference. A little girl who wants to help others, and wants something good to come from this.
“Our ambition: We want to inspire the largest number of new donors, we want to help educate more people on the importance of giving blood, and we want to make it more accessible than ever to give people the opportunity to be one of those donor hero’s we met last weekend.
“We’ll be planning the next clinics with the team over the coming weeks and will share the details with you as soon as we can.
“Thank you to everyone that has messaged and enquired about future clinics, it means so much.”
NHS Blood and Transplant Chief Executive Dr Jo Farrar said: “It is wonderful to see how many people have been inspired by Elsie’s Story to give blood, and we are thankful to Elsie’s brave parents Jenni and Dave for their incredible support.
“Because each donation can help up to three adults or six children, 300 lives or more will be saved and improved in Elsie’s memory.
“A constant supply of blood is needed every day to help patients receiving treatment for conditions like cancer, sickle cell or giving birth as well as being prepared for unexpected emergencies and incidents, just like that dreadful day last July.
“We aim to collect around 5,000 donations every day to ensure we are always ready to respond when we are needed, just like our Liverpool team did that day.
“This wouldn’t be possible without our amazing lifesaving donors, who come forward to give blood regularly throughout the year, at sessions just like the one held at Southport.”
Book a blood donation appointment today at www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23.
For more details about how you can support Elsie’s Story visit: www.justgiving.com/elsiesstory
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