‘My special blood helps critically ill babies’

My special blood helps critically ill babies

Nigel Vaughan, now 70, has donated blood 250 times, but his journey began in 1970 when he was just 16. During a murder investigation in Blackpool, all men in a specific age range were asked to provide saliva and blood samples. At that time, Nigel was informed his blood type—B negative, also called NEO—was rare and could save the lives of newborns in intensive care units.

His mother, a blood donor herself, inspired Nigel to take up the cause. She began giving blood after his life-saving surgery for pyloric stenosis, a condition that narrows the stomach’s passage to the small intestine. Nigel recalls: “My earliest memories are of accompanying my mum to give blood. As soon as I was old enough, I started donating myself.” Today, he continues the tradition, with his daughter and daughter-in-law now following in his footsteps.

“I’m going to keep doing it until they tell me to stop,” Nigel said. “Knowing my blood can go to babies is quite special.” He estimates his donations may have helped up to 500 individuals, though he doesn’t have an exact count.

The NHS explains that newborns can only receive blood free of cytomegalovirus (CMV), a virus adults typically carry without issue but which can be deadly for infants with weak immune systems. Nigel’s B negative blood is among the world’s rarest, with just 2% of donors sharing this type. In contrast, O positive blood is the most common, found in 36% of donors.

As an emergency responder for St John Ambulance, Nigel began donating at 18. He emphasizes the importance of diverse donors: “The country is diverse, so it’s really important people from all backgrounds give blood. Blood types vary slightly across regions, and this makes every donation unique.” According to NHS Blood and Transplant, a single unit can aid up to six babies or three adults. They note a heightened need for B negative, O negative, Ro, and Black heritage donors around Easter and the May bank holiday.

Nigel’s attitude toward giving blood is simple: “To be honest, I just turn up and hope it does good. It’s half an hour of my time, and I give it happily to help others.” He encourages others to join, stating, “You save at least one person’s life if not three… so help everybody you can.”

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