The family of a Scots toddler born with a rare blood disorder have thanked donors for helping to save their daughter's life. Stephanie and Kenny's daughter Hannah was born prematurely in October last year weighing just 5 lbs.
The premature birth caused the one-year-old to be diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called Haemolytic disease. The condition occurs when antibodies in a pregnant woman's blood destroy her baby's blood cells which can cause the baby to become anaemic and develop newborn jaundice.
Baby Hannah was forced to undergo intensive treatment including two full blood exchanges and surgery in order to stabilise her condition. Parents Stephanie and Kenny are hoping their daughter's incredible survival story will encourage others to donate blood and help give other children a fighting chance.
The 36-year-old mum told Glasgow Live : “Our daughter Hannah was born prematurely at 34 weeks, weighing exactly 5lbs. Hannah was born with Haemolytic disease of the newborn. She needed lots of treatment, and part of this treatment was receiving two full blood exchanges, and four top up transfusions in the weeks after she was born.
"Hannah was born in Crosshouse, and received further treatment at the Royal Hospital for Children, where she had surgery for an umbilical hernia and two inguinal hernias. We can’t be more grateful for the donors that made this possible and have allowed Hannah to lead a healthy life.”
Hannah's dad Kenny, 38, added: “I work for Barclays in Glasgow, and I am proud my workplace is Glasgow Donor Centres’ biggest corporate supporter.
"71 of my colleagues gave blood at Glasgow donor centre last week. As each donation can be split into three separate parts (red cells platelets and plasma), this means my Barclays colleagues have saved or improved the lives of up to 213 patients in Scotland.
"I know SNBTS are looking for more companies to join this initiative, and I hope seeing the difference blood donors have made to my family can motivate many more companies to participate.”
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) are calling on Scots to come forward this Christmas and donate blood so they can save more people like Hannah. Currently there are 30,547 donors in Glasgow and the West, however, it is believed 4,919 additional donors have not given a donation so far in 2022.
Edward Ford, SNBTS, said: “The donor base in Scotland now has 96,726 active blood donors, and here in Glasgow and the West we have welcomed 4659 new donors so far this year.
"This is good news, but we need to welcome another 2,000 new donors in the area. We can also see lots of donors, who were so committed during the Pandemic, may now have got out of the habit.
"We are asking people to book an appointment at Glasgow donor centre, or one of the many community sessions in the area. We are also encouraging people to consider organising a group booking with colleagues, friends, groups and clubs.
“Glasgow Donor Centre has an essential part of play in supporting NHS Scotland this winter. Every week, the donor centre, must welcome 558 donors.
"This is 15% of the blood supply issued to hospitals nationally, which is an amazing contribution. We do need an additional 2000 new donors. We would like to welcome more group bookings – giving blood with friends, colleagues, or your club is a very valuable thing to do.
"We are delighted over 10 companies in the area have organised group bookings as part of their corporate blood collection programme. Please consider signing up to join them.”
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