Amazing Stories PART 2:Are you Brave

Teresa

As a blood donor, Teresa knew how important it was to give blood. Following an operation, it was she who needed blood for an emergency blood transfusion. Today Teresa is back helping others through her job in a care home.





Doug

Doug had a major operation to have his heart valves replaced. Ten years later he was back, to have a full heart transplant. During both operations Doug received many units of blood. He is now the National Chairman of the Zipper Club, an organisation specially set up to help heart patients.






Emma

Emma has a beautiful baby daughter, Lauren. But on the day Lauren was born, Emma started haemorrhaging, then her kidneys failed. Emma was suffering from a rare condition that affects 1 in one million pregnant women. She needed plasma, blood and platelet transfusions to get her back home.






Diane

Diane Crawford has had Sickle Cell disease all of her life. She gave birth to a daughter, Chi, after receiving 19 units of blood during her pregnancy. "Blood donors gave me the chance to have a family," says Diane. "Now I want to play my part in encouraging more people from the African and Caribbean communities to help others like me by giving blood."





Shaun

Snooker is a passion for Shaun Williamson. So is his job, as an entertainer. He's particularly proud of his Laurel and Hardy routine. Shaun was diagnosed with bone cancer of the knee. Shaun has had numerous blood and platelet transfusions. "Blood donors are special people," says Shaun. He should know, because they've supported him all the way.






Tim

In December 1993, Tim Wood was diagnosed with leukaemia. He fought the disease and even went into remission for 10 months, but in May 1996 he relapsed. A bone marrow transplant had become critical. By the end of his treatment, Tim was estimated to have received more than 75 units of blood and 250 units of platelets, which equates to at least 1,000 donors.





Lloyd

After playing professional football, Lloyd Scott became a fireman. During routine checks, Lloyd was diagnosed with leukaemia. A bone marrow transplant followed, as did essential blood and platelet transfusions. Eleven months later, he ran the London Marathon, and has completed expeditions to the Sahara, and the North and South Poles, all because of blood donors.






Beth

At four months old, Beth Heaton was diagnosed with a rare blood disorder called aplastic anaemia. While waiting for a vital bone marrow transplant, her survival depended on regular transfusions of blood and platelets. The eventual transplant was a success. This May, Beth will be two, and her condition has been cured, thanks to the support of so many blood donors.





Tony

Tony Peverett has played cricket all his life. In 1998 he was told he had cancer. During an operation to remove the tumour, Tony received four blood transfusions. Now recovered from cancer, he's playing cricket again. "Those transfusions gave me a new lease of life," he says. "To potential donors, I would say that giving blood is about ordinary people helping other ordinary people."



Mandy

Mandy Rhodes developed aplastic anaemia. Vital transfusions of blood and platelets helped save her life. Her husband Les, an existing blood donor, now also gives platelets, while her sister Angela has become a donor as well. Today, Mandy is healthy and able to enjoy her garden. Proof that the effort of every donor is invaluable.