Mum praises 'lifesavers' who donated blood to help treat daughter's cancer

A 'thankful' mum has praised the 'lifesavers' who donated blood which helped treat her four-year-old daughter from a rare form of cancer.

Four-year old Etta Murton was diagnosed with T cell Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in September 2022, aged just 20 months, and needed between 10 to 15 units of blood and platelets to help her stay strong and recover from the impact of her chemotherapy.

Mum Becky, 33, from Needham Market near Ipswich in Suffolk has described the blood daughter Etta received as an 'incredible gift' and was 'thankful' that the blood was there when Etta needed.

Blood stocks are often at risk of shortfall around public holidays and NHS Blood and Transplant is calling on people across the country to book donation appointments over the busy Easter and bank holiday period.

Becky gave an emotional update on Etta's condition and hopes it encourages more blood and platelet donors to come forward this Easter. She says:

"Last Easter, Etta was receiving intensive chemotherapy, only coming home from hospital very briefly before needing to return for a blood transfusion. Thankfully, this year, Etta has finished her treatment and will hopefully be able to spend Easter at home with her family and making happy memories together."

Etta has also made a heartfelt Easter video to thank blood and platelet donors across the country for helping patients in need of transfusion.

Our appeal for donors

Mum Becky - a former NHS phlebotomist and O positive donor herself - explained how 'super simple' it is to give blood. She continues:

"To anyone thinking of donating blood, it's super simple the process to sign up and book an appointment is easy, with many different times for appointments.

"With Etta's condition, people always ask: 'what can I do to help?', and I always say: 'donate blood!' It's the most incredible gift and people who donate blood are nothing but lifesavers."

This week, Etta and Becky visited a blood donation session in Ipswich close to where they live, to thank blood donors for their dedication and for saving lives of patients, just like Etta. Etta proudly carried a decorated basket of mini Easter eggs to share with staff and donors as an alternative to their usual post-donation biscuit! 

Currently England remains in Amber alert for low blood stocks, so it is critical that enough donors step forward now to keep blood in good supply to hospitals over Easter and beyond.

Donors are being asked to make an appointment to donate if they don't already have one. People who have registered as a donor but not yet made an appointment are also encouraged to take that next step now and make their first donation. 

People with O negative and B negative blood types are particularly needed over the coming weeks. There also remains an ongoing need for more donors of Black heritage to help patients with sickle cell who need ethnically matched blood.  

Statements

Gerry Gogarty, Director of Blood Supply, at NHS Blood and Transplant said:

"Like Etta and her family, we would like to thank all our blood donors who have come forward to donate and boost blood stocks already this year. We really appreciate their dedication to blood donation.

However, as the need for blood never stops, I urge both new and returning donors to book their next appointment today, to ensure that we collect all the blood we are going to need over the coming Easter and bank holiday period and beyond."

Karl, one the donors attending the session in Ipswich when Etta gave out her Easter eggs, said:

"Seeing Etta today was like a wonderful rainbow and ray of light - she brightened up my day even more than the sunshine outside!'"

Hospitals across England need over 5,000 blood donations every day to ensure they have the blood they need to treat patients for wide variety of reasons - from traumatic injuries or accidents, cancer treatments, sickle cell and childbirth. However, blood has a shelf life of 35 days and platelets only seven days so its vital stocks are constantly replenished.

How you can help

Across the country there are still thousands of appointments available to fill over coming weeks, with greatest availability at donor centres situated in major towns and cities, including London, Birmingham, Manchester, Bristol, Leeds, Bradford, Cambridge and Luton.

Donating a unit of blood takes just an hour and each donation can save up to three lives.

You can book an appointment through our website or call 0300 123 23 23 to find your nearest session. Platelets can be donated at donor centres across the country.