AMPTHILL, UK May 2 2008

Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS has a real lifesaver among its ranks. Mickey Arnott, who has been donating blood regularly for nearly 40 years, will donate his 75th pint to the National Blood Service (NBS) at a dedicated session for staff of Lockheed Martin UK - INSYS. 

The NBS will honour his life-saving work by presenting him with a special crystal plate, reserved for those reaching this milestone, at 2pm on Wednesday May 7. Reaching the 75 pint mark is a rare event, with less than one per cent of blood donors ever donating that much.  

64-year-old Mickey gave his first donation back in the early 1970s when he started work at what is now Lockheed Martin UK – INSYS. Since then he has given blood every time the National Blood Service has visited the Ampthill site. 

“The first time I gave blood was because a friend conned me into it,” said Mickey. “I absolutely hate the sight of the stuff – it makes me feel faint. But after doing it once I thought I couldn’t really refuse again, after all it is for such a good cause. I just make sure I look the other way while I donate!” 

Rebecca Khan, Communications Officer for the NBS, commented:  “We are delighted that Mr Arnott has reached his landmark 75^th blood donation. The National Blood Service relies on such dedicated donors for their commitment to saving lives. 

“Less than one per cent of donors ever reach this milestone. One single donation can save as many as three lives and therefore this donor has potentially saved 225 local hospital patients so far.”

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Notes to newsroom

1. 7,000 units of blood are needed each day to help save and improve the lives of sick and injured patients.
2. A unit of blood is 470ml.
3. The NBS, processes and tests blood and blood products before it is issued to the 310 hospitals in England and north Wales it supplies.
4. The NBS collects over 2 million units of blood a year from around 1.3 million blood donors.
5. Only four percent of the eligible population give blood, of which just three per cent are of an Asian, African, or African-Caribbean background.
6. The blood products taken from a donation only have a relatively short shelf life. Red blood cells, usually transfused to patients with anaemia and severe blood loss, last around 35 days. Platelets however used to treat leukaemia, cancer patients and those with severe infections only have a shelf life of five days so it is vital for donors to give blood regularly.

To be potentially eligible to give blood, you should be between 17 and 59 years of age (you may give blood on your 60^th birthday), in general good health, and weigh over 7st 12lbs (50kg). Regular donors can give blood up to 70 years-old. Appointment to donate can be made by ringing the 24-hour National Donor Helpline on 0845 7 711 711 or visit www.blood.co.uk

The National Blood Service is a part of NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT), a Special Health Authority within the NHS responsible for managing the National Blood Service, Bio Products Laboratory, and UK Transplant. NHSBT is responsible for optimising the supply of blood, organs, plasma and tissues and raising the quality, effectiveness and efficiency of blood and transplant services.