A BLOOD donor is calling on fellow Silhllians to roll up their sleeves and donate.
Jaydan Carlton Manyan, an Engineer for Network Rail and regular blood donor, is urging residents to help save lives at the start of National Blood Week, which runs from June 10 to 16.
The 24-year-old was inspired to first donate in 2013 on his way home from the University of Birmingham where he was studying Mechanical Engineering.
Jayden said: “I walked past the centre every day on my way to my campus and it would always stick in my mind.
“It’s such a good thing to be able to help others, so one day I just decided to stop thinking about it and walk in and find out more information.”
Jayden has the Ro subtype which makes his blood incredibly important for treating patients with sickle cell disease.
He said: “I have been donating blood every three months for about one year. I understand it is very hard for people of colour to find matches so I try my best to convince family and friends to also donate blood. It is so quick and so easy and probably the best gift you can give to someone, what is better than helping to save a life.”
This year NHS Blood and Transplant are asking more men to donate blood due to the higher iron levels and men not making new antibodies which makes it easier to match blood to those who need it.
“Donors of every gender are welcome, and blood types are not gender specific,” it added.
Mike Stredder, director of blood donation for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “We need more new male donors in Birmingham to address the decline in men becoming blood donors. Blood donation saves lives.
“We can assure men out there, that blood donation is an amazing experience that you can feel proud of.
“Giving blood at Birmingham blood donor centre is quick and easy – we aim to have you in and out within an hour but the actual donation itself should only take around 10 minutes. We need men to start their own blood story.”
For more call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk
