A TARRING mother has backed a campaign to keep blood stocks healthy after she nearly died giving birth to her daughter.
Julie Macfarlane, 38, of Princess Avenue, experienced the importance of blood donation first hand in March, 2003 – she needed 23 pints when she developed a life-threatening gap in her womb after giving birth to her daughter Charlotte.
Doctors did not discover she was bleeding internally until they performed a caesarean.
Now, Julie and her family are backing the National Blood Service's summer BBQ appeal to encourage people to help save lives throughout the summer by giving blood.
Julie said: "If it wasn't for the blood transfusions, I wouldn't be here today.
"I really want to encourage as many people as possible to give blood as nobody ever knows when they are going to need it.
"There are so many people out there who can give blood.
"It is particularly important people think about giving blood in the summer as many people go away on holiday so blood stocks run short."
CampaignsJulie has backed many campaigns launched by the National Blood Service since her experience.
The Big Summer BBQ appeal, launched at the Momma Cherri restaurant in Brighton, is not only highlighting the importance of giving blood this summer, but also about eating an iron-rich diet to maintain healthy blood.
Each year, the National Blood Service requires a staggering 287,000 blood donations across the south east, but last year, one in 20 people who visited a donor centre to give blood was unable to do so because the haemoglobin in their blood was too low.
Iron is important to keep up your levels of haemoglobin.
Donors can ring the National Donor Helpline on 0845 7 711711 – open 24hrs – or visit www.blood.co.uk to register details, find the venues and times for your nearest blood donation session and book an appointment.
People aged between 17 and 66 years of age, in general good health and weighing over 7st 12lbs can support the campaign.
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