Tamryn Kirby: I Love... Donating Blood

As I am typing this blog post, I can look down at my right arm and in the crook of it, there are some little needle mark scars. They're very tiny but they mean a lot to me. These little marks mean that I'm a blood donor and I'm very proud to say that I do this.

I started donating blood when a friend of a friend was very sick and was needing regular transfusions. She needed lots of new blood just to stay alive and, like most of us, you never think about where the blood comes from until it's suddenly very important. I started donating then and I guess, I've become a bit of a junkie. I go every four months and yes, I still get a little nervous beforehand but donating blood isn't about me. It's about the person who I'll never know who needs a tiny bit of something I have to help them. Yes, I don't really love being 'plumbed in' but frankly, you can stick almost anything for 15 minutes and when those 15 minutes could save someone's life, save a family from losing someone important, save someone from pain, I would happily donate every day if I could.

So today, like other wedding bloggers, I'm just asking you to consider giving blood if you can. There's some more information below and www.blood.co.uk will answer any questions you might have. The teams that care for you at donation are wonderful and first-timers (or not-been-for-a-long-timers!) are very well looked after. Please think about it. Do something amazing, give blood.

Some people already donate blood. However, those who don’t tend to fall into two categories: too squeamish or too forgetful. Both reasons are totally understandable, conquering a phobia of needles or blood is a huge thing to ask, as is scheduling the time for a regular appointment to donate.

It is an astonishing fact that only 4% of the population provides donations of blood for the rest of us. That’s a lot to expect of so few people. Especially when this is one of those times when you really can have a massive impact on the lives of others, by doing something so simple.

So, why are we campaigning for this? Many of us have been affected first-hand by the importance of having a ready supply of blood, and realise how very different life could be without it. Just stop for a minute and think what might happen if you couldn’t get the blood transfusion that you take for granted will be there. This is the perfect forum to bring it to the forefront of people’s minds, especially those who have been contemplating donating blood but just haven’t got round to doing it yet.

If you’re physically able to give blood do please try to make time, it can literally make you a lifesaver. We would love it if donating blood became a habit for you, something that is done on a regular basis without giving it a second thought. If you can’t donate then please continue this campaign by asking all those you know who can to make an appointment – ask them to do it now… today, not when they get round to it.

Do read this blog and the associated posts from all of those involved in this campaign. There will be some very personal stories that we hope may open your eyes to how important blood donors are and how you never know when you may be the recipient of the blood that these wonderful people give.

If you feel that you are ready to donate blood, please go to the Give Blood website to find your nearest blood donor session.

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