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Couple ask for the gift of blood | Couple ask for the gift of blood |
(about 2 hours later) | |
A couple from Oxfordshire surprised their wedding guests by throwing out the traditional wedding list and asking them to donate blood instead. | A couple from Oxfordshire surprised their wedding guests by throwing out the traditional wedding list and asking them to donate blood instead. |
Daniel and Jane Cluff, both 35, from Abingdon, have never needed a blood transfusion themselves. | Daniel and Jane Cluff, both 35, from Abingdon, have never needed a blood transfusion themselves. |
The pair have both donated blood since the age of 18 and thought it would be a good idea to encourage more people to sign up to the National Blood Service. | The pair have both donated blood since the age of 18 and thought it would be a good idea to encourage more people to sign up to the National Blood Service. |
Twenty-five of their 120 guests agreed to donate blood. | Twenty-five of their 120 guests agreed to donate blood. |
'Quite surprised' | 'Quite surprised' |
As well as the invitations, guests had a chance to find out more about giving blood via an information board they made especially for the day. | As well as the invitations, guests had a chance to find out more about giving blood via an information board they made especially for the day. |
"Some people were quite surprised," said Mrs Cluff. | "Some people were quite surprised," said Mrs Cluff. |
"A couple of friends said they'd been meaning to do it for ages it actually spurred them onto donate which was really good and hopefully they'll continue doing so." | "A couple of friends said they'd been meaning to do it for ages it actually spurred them onto donate which was really good and hopefully they'll continue doing so." |
Jonathan Sewell, lead donor relations manager for the National Blood Service, said: "A lot of people do tend to go for a big gift list at weddings these days, so for someone to turn round and be as generous as this is incredible." | Jonathan Sewell, lead donor relations manager for the National Blood Service, said: "A lot of people do tend to go for a big gift list at weddings these days, so for someone to turn round and be as generous as this is incredible." |
Mrs Cluff, a social worker, and Mr Cluff, an occupational therapist, married in the summer at Lains Barn near Wantage. | Mrs Cluff, a social worker, and Mr Cluff, an occupational therapist, married in the summer at Lains Barn near Wantage. |
Seven thousand units of blood are needed every day to meet hospital demand. Last year 2.1 million donations were collected from about 1.6 million donors. That figure reflects only 4% of the eligible population, giving two or three times a year. | |
With some exceptions, many people aged between 17 and 65 can become a new blood donor. |