Public speaker for a Blood Ceremony

I was asked a couple of years ago to be a speaker at a ceremony for people who have donated over 100 pints and 250 platelets of blood. For many of the donors attending, this means about 30-plus years of support. Sadly, I had to decline the offer due to work circumstances. Years went by, and until recently, the thought came into my head again. Have I missed an opportunity?–I wondered. I decided to get in touch and told them I'd be delighted to be a guest speaker. Knowing my story and seeing the positive effects of their donations for people like me will provide me and many others with great comfort. Not long after, I got a reply. They were delighted to have me speak.

They held the venue at Beverley racecourse on the 23rd of August, 2022. Where a two-course lunch meal would be provided. Afterwards, I would be asked to share my story and present donors with their awards. Me and mum had arrived slightly late, everyone was already tucking into their lunches - we had got the times wrong. As I walked in, I remember the feeling of everyone staring at us both. Thinking who are these people, no doubt? But unknown to them, I was the main speaker. The man who, without their donations, I would be dead today.

We sat down in our allocated seats and had our food served immediately. Although embarrassing to have arrived late, everyone around our table genuinely seemed interested in getting to know us both. Although they had no idea what I was about to share with them. Meanwhile, as we finished our meals, it was time for the ceremony to begin. Jill O’Donnell, (the Donor Recognition Assistant for the North), stood up and explained everything that was going to happen in the ceremony. After a brief overview, Jill asked me to the front to speak. I felt like some sort of celebrity. I walked to the front, opened my speech, and began to share my story.

As I talked, I could feel everyone staring at me. Holding onto my every word while I unravelled what had happened on that awful day. I don’t think they could quite believe such a horrific accident had happened to someone looking so alive. I spoke about the day, how I had felt, and then about how it had happened. It wasn’t until I shared a few of my dad's words he had written in his diary that I broke down in tears. I couldn’t speak. I choked up. All I could manage was “Sorry, I have just lost my dad”. His words were so powerful, I could feel his presence. It was as if he was there with me. I wish he was there with me. He would have deserved to be there, as he had also given over 100 pints, too.

Everyone was in awe of what I was explaining. They couldn’t quite believe the seriousness and for someone to have survived such a horrific incident. I remember looking around, and by that point, many were in tears, including my mum, who was trying to film. It was a power moment, one that I will hold on to for a long time. As I finished the last sentence, I thanked everyone. To make them aware of just how valuable they are.

I am eternally grateful for people who donate blood. Without their efforts, I wouldn’t be alive, and if I could, I would donate too. While I live my life as a healthy young man, many will only see what is on the outside. I understand it can be difficult for anyone to comprehend the ordeal in which I have faced. It can be extremely frustrating, as I appear so normal. Then again, why would anyone understand? I struggled myself to understand for a long time, but the matter of fact is, I will never be a normal person. I mean, I have 14 metres of platinum in my head. That doesn’t happen to an average person. Even someone in the hospital didn’t believe me once when I was going for an operation. I had to explain I had metal in my head and their response was “14 metres! no, that’s impossible”. I understand, it’s extremely rare, but it was the only option to prevent me from having a hemorrhage. However, it was finally good to be heard, to talk to such a special bunch of people, and for people to understand and get it finally.

Thank you to anyone who donates.

SAVE A LIFE. GIVE BLOOD.