Pensioner Di in call for donors (From Chard & Ilminster News)

Pensioner Di in call for donors

3:00pm Saturday 1st December 2012 in Ilminster

A DONOR who has given more than 100 pints of blood has encouraged others to step forward and save lives.

Di Hartley-Russell has been donating for almost 60 years after her brother lost his battle with leukaemia when she was just 14.

Di, now 73, of Lower Meadow in Ilminster, says she has given 108 pints of blood.

She said: “My brother got leukaemia and died when he was 16. I was only 14 at the time and it was very tragic for the family. “In those days there wasn’t a lot of things they could to do help, only blood transfusions.

“That’s when I became aware of the importance of blood donation and I started giving as soon as I was eligible.”

Di has contributed to saving dozens of lives and hopes more people will step up and give blood once they realise how easy the process is.

“I’ve always admired people that help save other people’s lives, such as the RNLI, firefighters and emergency services,” added Di. “By giving blood you can become a bit of a mini-hero yourself – and all for just lying on a bed.

“For 30 minutes of your time you could have saved a person’s life, sometimes more than one.

“What I will say is this, just think of others. You only need to be fairly fit and healthy to give blood. “And if you don’t like needles, look away.”

The next blood donor session at the Guildhall, Chard, is on January 7.

See blood.co.uk or call 0300-1232323 for more information.