Century up for blood donor

PATIENTS can today be grateful to an inspirational Ipswich pensioner who has made his 100th and final blood donation.

Brian Cudmore, 69, of Randwell Close, Ipswich, was honoured with a crystal decanter at the Baptist Church, Caldwell Hall Road, Ipswich, on Wednesday after giving his last unit of blood.

Clare Noonan, of the National Blood Service in East Anglia, said: "Without loyal blood donors like Mr Cudmore, hospitals would be unable to give patients the treatment they need. We are sorry to be saying goodbye to such a loyal blood donor."

Mr Cudmore first gave blood and appreciated its importance during his National Service with the Medical Core in June 1956.

It was also an extra incentive because the alternative was a morning's hard work in the yard.

Since then, Mr Cudmore has shown his commitment to helping save and improve patients' lives by working in a military hospital and later as a St John's Ambulance volunteer as well as being a regular blood donor.

He has also persuaded several friends and his wife, Beryl, to give blood. Beryl was also at Wednesday's session to give her 73rd donation.

Mr Cudmore said: "Giving blood is so worthwhile. It only takes an hour and does not hurt. Afterwards the staff look after you and you get a cup of tea as well."

Mrs Noonan added: "On behalf of the National Blood Service, I would like to offer my thanks to Mr Cudmore for all his donations.

"He has been instrumental in saving and improving the lives of 300 people and by encouraging his wife and friends to give, he has helped to save hundreds more."

Hospitals across England and north Wales require 9,000 units of blood on a daily basis. In the Anglia region, the National blood Service needs to collect over 250,000 units of blood this year.

If you would like to become a blood donor, please call the National Helpline on 08457 711711 or visit www.blood.co.uk