A well-known member of Team QEH is encouraging others to donate blood after giving his 100th pint.
Paul Chapman, who works in the Pals Department of the Queen Elizabeth Hospital, gave his milestone donation on Monday, 24th September, at King’s Centre in Wellesley Street in King’s Lynn.
He made his first donation at the age of 19 in 1976 tempted by the promise of an afternoon off work but then became committed to the cause.
Paul, who has recently celebrated his 62nd birthday, said: “After giving blood with a work colleague, we then went to the pub for two pints of Guinness but that is not recommended nowadays.
“The more you give blood, the more committed you are to it and I have rarely missed a session. I think you are fit and healthy then it is a really worthwhile thing to do.
“I would really encourage other people to do it. It doesn’t hurt, the team is lovely and your donation will be making a difference.
“I am really proud to have given 100 pints of blood.”
Paul has seen a number of changes in the donation procedure since he began giving blood.
He said: “Now days you have to drink a pint of water before you give a donation and they also send you text messages to let you know where your donation has gone.”
An NHS Blood and Transplant spokesman said: “We thank Paul for his incredible dedication and commitment. His is part of a very special club that saves and improves lives.
“Every donation is a precious gift and every unit of blood given to a patient has come from a valued voluntary donor. We need 700 new donors every day to meet patients’ needs and we always need new donors.
“We especially need new younger blood donors so they can become loyal and long-term donors, to replace those older donors who have contributed so much by saving lives.”
- Become a blood donor. Register today and book an appointment by calling 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk.
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Pictured is Paul Chapman who has given his 100th blood donation
For the press release and picture please click here
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