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Wednesday 16 April 2014

NHS Blood and Transplant Awards Presentation Lunch

That title sounds a bit of a mouthful, doesn't it?

Well, recently I was invited to lunch by none other than the NHS and the food they put on for us blood donors and guests was indeed a series of very tasty and succulent mouthfuls.

On 25th March I was proud to attend the award ceremony lunch, accompanied by a delightful lady as my guest.  This event was in recognition of my 100th blood donation. They didn't just put it on for me - no, there were many other donors invited to the presentation.

The afternoon was beautiful; sunny and warm.  The venue was at the Bath Racecourse, just outside Bath, and  I suppose about 100 people were present, plus officials.

When we arrived for registration and reception drinks a photographer was waiting to take photographs of each donor, holding his/her award.  For once I was quite pleased with the result of a photograph - the makeover from my previous post obviously paid off handsomely.

You can see if you look closely I am holding a crystal obelisk on which is inscribed, "Thank You 100 donations".  If you cannot see it there is a close up shot later.

A large marquee was the lunch venue and it was beautifully laid out for the event. We quickly made friends with people sitting at our table and I amused them by saying that my award for my 75th donation was a crystal plate which was soon earmarked as a plant stand in our conservatory.

After our delicious meal we were treated to two interesting speeches: the first by Head of Region for the West of England, followed by a lady blood recipient who would have died had she not received many blood donations - she was given not long to live by the medics who thought even if she recovered she might be permanently brain damaged after her horrific head on car accident.  Fortunately she made a full recovery and she was invited to make the presentations.  One by one we walked to the front for our awards, cued by some of our own words sent in earlier and read by a lovely lady holding a microphone.

Four donors, myself included, were recipients of Diamond awards for 100 donations and about 35 others, achieving 75 donations, collected their Emerald awards.

When it was my turn to walk to the front the lady read some words I had prepared earlier, something like:

"I started giving blood around 1485 when I was 18 and have been donating ever since.
When I reached 75 donations I thought I might be on for 100.  Now I've done it I realise my left arm is empty, so I'd better change arms, hadn't I if you want me to carry on?  I sometimes marvel that 100 donations equals blood for about 12-13 people and I am so pleased to have been able to help a few.  I will try to reach 125 if I can, and then I might require a transfusion myself!"

Needless to say this got a few laughs!

Isn't it flashy? - It now adorns my mantlepiece!

The Head of Region, in his speech said a single donation can save 3 lives.  He also said there is a shortage of blood, particularly type O negative (which a universal blood group) and type B negative.  Also just 4% of the population donate blood.

I am highlighting the official NHS Blood and Transplant website for those interested in further reading HERE

It makes one wonder why there is reluctance by most people to become donors.  Most I know hate needles and hate anything to do with blood and seem unpersuaded that it is quite painless, apart from a prick now and then, and it is not debilitating in the slightest  way. I am due to visit Dracular's Castle to donate my103rd unit early in May. Then only another 22 to go to the magic 125 target.  There is no upper age limit here in UK for regular donors but 65 is the limit for new donors. So I should be able to do it, if I eat all my greens and oranges!  Lots of iron - that's the secret!

I think the record in UK is currently 120 donations, so we shall see whether 'anno domino' kicks in to prevent it! 

Well the day was great and memorable

I wear my 100th donation badge with pride
and try not to prick myself - I hate the sight of blood you see ROFL (says he tongue in cheek)

. . . . .  and I have my certificate to remind me of the event:


My blood type is AB positive and they are not desperately short of that, although it is quite a rare blood type, AB negative being the rarest!

What blood group are you?

And as for organ transplants!  They can have what they want when I pop my clogs!
If it is any good to anyone, they might as well have the use of anything worth saving!  All a bit past it's sell date I am afraid LOL.  But they can't have anything just yet!

Well that's enough of all that - next time it's back to normal. Wonder what to write?

Perhaps I should put on my well known thinking hat again!
It has served me very well in the past - it's a little like Harry Potter's sorting hat - it's magic! - it always somehow stimulates an idea or two.

If any decent photographer is watching the photo is intentionally under-exposed because I am still "in the dark" at the moment about the subject of my next post and I await a "flash" of inspiration!

40 comments:

  1. Congratulations Eddie! I am so glad that your amazing donations are being recognised in this way. Thank you for doing something so amazing for the British public. I can imagine that your "speech" got more than a few laughs, it is good to remind people that you they are getting such good humoured blood from you!

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    1. Thank you Amy - it was quite humbling as well on the day! But I do hope the recipients are well and perhaps my blood may add a spark of humour.

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  2. What a nice appreciation event they put on for you donors! And so rightfully deserved, too! That is quite an accomplishment. I am on an organ donor list but have never given blood. I'm not sure what my type is, either. I'm thinking it's B. Can it just be B? haha. B for Betsy.

    You need to slow your shutter speed and widen your aperture! lol....

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    1. I'll redo the photo of the Thinking Hat! along the lines you discuss and then I'll look a bit brighter!

      B for Betsy . . . . . very good!
      The Blood type would be B positive or B negative.

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    2. well, mine would HAVE to be positive, of course! hahaha....

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    3. ROFL
      Are you positive you're positive?

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  3. that is very cool man....think of all the lives you have touched in your donations as well...that goes well beyond any dinner or award....very cool man...

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    1. Thanks Brian . . . . and yes I sometimes do wonder who and how may I might have helped or saved - maybe I shall know one day in Heaven

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  4. Good for you, Eddie. You have every reason to be proud. One hundred blood donations is quite the feat. I used to give blood regularly.. less often, these days. Truth be told, I've been asked to not bother a couple of times (small, sloooooo veins). But it feels right to donate. I'm glad they recognize such prolific donors with such an event. It's important to acknowledge. I'm sure the crowd got quite the kick out of your remarks. You're a funny guy.

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    1. Thanks Hilary and yes they did laugh but others were funny too!

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  5. Hi Eddie...
    You should be very proud.....good for you!
    I like that pin....very smart...
    Enjoy your week....
    Happy Easter!
    Cheers!
    Linda :o)

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    1. Thanks, Linda and I suppose I had better be careful when pinning on the pin, otherwise I may prick myself and start bleeding! LOL
      So pleased to have met you at Betsy's.

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    2. Oh you are funny.......
      Glad to have met you too!

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    3. haha! I'll be along to look at your beautiful garden and photos soon.
      If you return - as I think you might because you are a lady and all ladies are inquisitive!! ROFL . . . . . . then Happy Easter

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  6. I'm very proud of you. What you have done has saved lives. What a notable accomplishment, Eddie. Congratulations on this amazing milestone of giving.

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    1. Thanks Jackie - that means a lot to me. xo

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    2. . . . . and of course I wish Maria was here to share the experience with me.

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  7. Congratulations on being such a wonderful donor that saves lives Eddie! I had no idea you've been donating blood since 1485! ;)

    Love you 'thinking hat' too =)

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    1. Well it fgeels like it sometimes!! but at other times it seems as though the first time way yesterday!

      Thought you'd like the hat! lol

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  8. Well Eddie you have to be really proud they reconigsed you deserved it.
    Not all people is blood donor!
    Really I congrats you Eddie!
    xo

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    1. Thank you Gloria - it won't be long before I give blood again - great to share this with you.

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  9. So at least 100 people (but maybe 300) are going around with a little bit of Bluelights in them? COOL!
    Seriously, Eddie, very well done to you..and I'm delighted that they honoured you, that is a very good idea.
    Here, they used to give you a glass of Guinness but I think the etiquette police put a stop to that, now it's water or Coke (Guinness would probably be healthier than Coke!).
    My Hubby and Daughter have a dracula date every 3 months; they donate blood and go for dinner together, I think that's a lovely idea.

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    1. Hi Mimi
      Great to see you! I think you might be having a little rest from Blogsville these days.
      I just missed out on the Guiness days which was a shame!! We have a coffee or tea with biscuits now and they ever tempt me with a bag of crisps.
      As for the 300 people with a little bit of Bluelights in them - so far I have never met one - one is enough!! ROFL

      And yes we can and do donate every 3 months.

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  10. Congratulations! Was very pleased to read your account of the memorable occasion and to see the trophy. It is lovely and quite an achievement.

    1485 ........ wow! Didn't think it was possible then & you must've done it in another life!
    Maggie x

    Nuts in May

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    1. Er . . . . um . . . . 1485 - that means 1483 to you LOL
      Big sis. Love Eddie xx

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  11. Great accomplishment. I am an organ donor and used to give blood but then my veins were a problem. Hard to find! Nice that they had an event honouring all of you... and I know Maria is proud! xox

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  12. Thanks Suzie. You are similar to Maria in that she too had hidden veins - in fact give them the sight of a needle and the retreated fast.
    I would have given a lot to be able to share that day with Maria but maybe she did look down from Heaven. xox

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  13. Surely this is a site well worth seeing.

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  14. I am sure she did, Eddie. By the way... I like that pin too. Perfect design for what it represents, isn't it?

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    1. Thanks Suzie. I have similar ones somewhere for 25,50,and 75. Not sure where they are though.

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  15. Good for you! I'm very impressed I wish I could donate, but I am such a needle phobe. And also don't meet the weight limit.

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    1. Thanks SAW. Not everyone can give but the main thing is you would if you could.

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  16. Eddie, I'm so proud to have you as an internet friend! You've actually saved lives in a concrete way. What a marvelous thing to know!

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    1. Thanks Jim - you're all a great bunch of guys too.
      I've done nothing special really. I took only a few minutes each time - I was not inconvenienced! I did not have to do any heroic rescue like entering a blazing building or jumping into a lion's den.

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  17. I read that as " Invited to LAUNCH?!" Wonderful what tricks the eyes can play on the brain - hang on a minute- it that Eddie I see up among the clouds with silver linings? Hehehe...

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    1. Gosh! What are you on tonight? ROFL
      I have no wings!! . . . . . and I cannot LAUNCH myself that high without a rocket! LOL

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