Thank You: 'Very Special' Blood Donors Have Saved Thousands Of Lives

Hundreds of people will be rewarded for their selfless actions giving blood at least 50 times each, tonight at the King's Hall.

216 donors in total have been invited to the Gold Award night.

It is estimated that they have saved at least 6,000 lives between them, and a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service said: "These are very special people".

Among the guests at the King's Hall tonight will be Jenny McGivern, her husband Fergus and their 18-month-old son Joseph.

Shortly after Joseph's birth Jenny haemorrhaged and became critically ill, and she would have died without blood and platelet donations.

She wants to think the blood donors in the audience and all those across Northern Ireland who give blood and save lives.

Paul McElkerney of the transfusion service said: "Gold awards have been very topical this summer but none are more important that the gold award these people have received for saving lives.

One behalf of all the patients whose lives have been saved I would like to say a big thank you and well done for your amazing achievement."

NIBTS is appealing for new blood donors to replace those who have had to stop due to age, ill health and other reasons.

Donating blood takes about 45 minutes out of a day, including registration, donating (just six or seven minutes), rest and refreshments.

There are nearly 1000 blood donation sessions a year at 240 locations - for more information see here.

(NE)