SHE’S been giving blood for around 25 years but after reading about the Echo’s Mine’s A Pint campaign, Angie Jones is now helping to recruit more donors – starting with her youngest son.

Angie is also a good friend of Natasha Jones, who helped to kick start the campaign last week.

Natasha had a life-saving blood transfusion after being diagnosed with leukaemia and went on to set up the Leaf charity to help others battling the disease.

“I have known Natasha for around 20 years and she is such an inspiring lady.

“My son Joe happened to be home from university at the weekend so when he heard about Natasha and the Echo’s campaign he decided he wanted to do his bit.”

Angie’s other two sons already give blood.

“It is such a worthwhile thing to do,” adds Angie who lives in Broadstone.

“It is painless, it only takes half an hour of your time and it can help so many people in so many different ways.

“I don’t think the vast majority of people realise just how much good it does.

“That’s why we want to support the Daily Echo’s campaign and help to raise awareness of the need,” Angie added.

For more information or to book an appointment to give blood, visit blood.co.uk or you can call the donor helpline on 0300 123 23 23 quoting the Daily Echo’s campaign code Z76.

How donated blood is used

Blood is usually separated into its individual components.

l Platelets These can be used in bone marrow failure, post transplant and chemotherapy treatments, and leukaemia.

l Plasma Frozen plasma is used during childbirth, during cardiac surgery, and to reverse any anti-coagulant treatment.

l Red cells These are used in the treatment of all kinds of anaemia which can’t be medically corrected, for example when rheumatoid arthritis or cancer is involved.

They’re also essential to replace lost red cells due to blood loss in accidents, surgery and after childbirth.

l Why blood is vital even for the dying Everyone knows blood is literally a lifesaver for those who’ve been in an accident or need it to help survive treatments and operations. But for some, whose illness has no cure and that last battle they face just can’t be won, a blood transfusion can help to improve their quality of life during their final months, weeks or even days.

l Blood transfusion A blood transfusion is a procedure in which blood is given via an intravenous line into the blood vessels.