THE memory of a young woman who lost her battle with a rare blood disorder, is helping to bring comfort to other patients across the UK.

Zoe Dunn from Christchurch died in January 2001, aged 23, of Thrombotic Thrombocytopenic Purpura (TTP), a condition where the blood forms small clots within the circulation.

Her death followed 14 months of intensive treatment at the John Radcliffe Hospital in Oxford where a specialist clinic was named after her.

Now patients receiving blood products in the Zoe Dunn Treatment Bay will be made to feel more at home following the donation of two personal DVD players from a charity set up by her parents called Zoe’s Wish.

The charity helps patients who receive regular essential treatment or provides respite care, where possible.

Zoe’s father Paul Dunn, who lives in Christchurch, said before she became ill, Zoe was a healthy active young woman who had a real joy for life.

“It was Zoe’s wish to help other people in similar circumstances to those she found herself in as a result of her illness,” he said.

“We are working with the team at the clinic to see how we can help further and will later this year make more donations of equipment to the clinic, including a medical monitor and a nebuliser.

“As part of our fundraising campaign this year we have also launched a summer prize draw which will be drawn in August of this year at a major charity event being hosted for Zoe’s Wish by Adventure Wonderland in Dorset.”

Dr Sylvia Benjamin, for NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Treatment involves lengthy visits to receive vital blood products.

“The personal DVD players will be gratefully received and will help patients to pass the time during their visits.”

Can you help?

Blood plays an important role in helping to save and improve lives.

The Daily Echo launched its Mine’s A Pint campaign earlier this year to encourage more people to become blood donors (only four per cent of the eligible population currently give blood).

Anyone wanting to donate blood for the first time should be aged between 17-65, weighing at least 50kg (seven stone 12 pounds) and in general good health.

If you’ve donated before, you can start again up to your 70th birthday and there is no upper age limit for donors who have donated in the last two years.

To find out more call the donor line on 0300 123 23 23 or visit blood.co.uk.

Please don’t forget to quote the Echo’s campaign code Z76.

For more details on Zoe’s Wish visit zoeswish.co.uk