Caring Scunthorpe blood donor gives 100 life-saving pints

A PROLIFIC donor has spoken about the importance of giving blood.

Albert Wilder, of Scunthorpe, has donated blood 100 times since he first signed up more than 50 years ago.

Only one per cent of blood donors ever reach this milestone.

Mr Wilder, 68, gave his 100th donation at a recent session held by NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) at the Royal Hotel in Scunthorpe.

His blood type, B positive, accounts for eight per cent of the population.

Mr Wilder said: "I think it is important to give blood.

"I have not had anyone in my life who has needed blood but it is important to help those who need it.

"I have never been worried about needles.

"My daughter used to come along with me as a kid and she always wanted to give blood but she was too young."

Mr Wilder said he registered to give blood more than 50 years ago and has been donating ever since.

He said: "I first signed up in around 1961 or 1962.

"In the last 10 to 12 years, I have been giving blood about three times a year.

"I was working as an apprentice when I gave my first donation.

"Years ago, the big companies used to bring people in to take blood."

After donating 100 times, Mr Wilder will receive a crystal decanter.

The NHSBT was targeting 135 donors for the session, held on January 10, and they managed to beat this target by two.

And since the launch of the Scunthorpe Telegraph's Save A Life campaign, which aims to find more donors in North Lincolnshire, 19 new donors have signed up in Scunthorpe and 23 in North Lincolnshire.

Holly Mason, lead donor relations manager for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "We are already seeing people coming forward and had our best recruitment in the area, since the national 100,000 new donors in 100 days campaign started, the week the paper's campaign launched."

The campaign launch was spearheaded by 15-year-old Ayshea Singh.

She has had 16 blood transfusions from 12 different donors since being diagnosed with a rare form of cancer in August.

Ayshea's father Naz Singh said: "People have been in touch with kind words and promises of donating.

"We have had some good, positive reactions.

"People have been getting in touch with me pledging their support."

Andrew Vickers, 43, from Ashby, gave his 12th blood donation at the Royal Hotel session.

He said: "I lost my dad to cancer and my wife lost her father to cancer.

"Blood is used in a lot of cancer treatment.

"If I had a serious accident, I would need blood."

Jean Spiteri was giving blood for the first time in 25 years.

The 60-year-old, from Scunthorpe, said: "I was working before and I was too busy so was not able to get to the sessions. I plan on giving more blood in the future."

Has a blood donor saved your life? If so, call the Scunthorpe Telegraph newsdesk on 01724 273136.

WHERE YOU CAN DONATE BLOOD

Scunthorpe

Friday, January 25 at The Pods on Ashby Road. 1.15pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.15pm.

Scunthorpe

Wednesday, January 30 at the Wortley House Hotel on Rowland Road. 1.15pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.15pm.

Broughton

Friday, February 1 at Broughton Village Hall on High Street. 1.45pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.15pm.

Scunthorpe

Thursday, February 14 at The Royal Hotel on Doncaster Road. 1.15pm to 4pm and 5pm to 7.15pm.

Scunthorpe

Friday, February 15 at Scunthorpe General Hospital.

10am to 1pm and 2pm to 3.30pm.

People wishing to attend any of these sessions can sign up at www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 1232323.

Time-tabled slots can be booked online or people can turn up, although they may have to wait.