Rick Running Manchester To Promote Blood Donation
To enter the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 22, go to www.greatrun.org/Manchester
BLOOD donor Rick Mills is encouraging fellow runners in the Great Manchester Run to follow his example and help save lives.
The Flixton dad-of-two knows from personal experience the value of giving blood so will happily pound the streets on Sunday, May 22, dressed as Billy Blood Drop, mascot for the National Blood Service.
Rick was only five when a blood transfusion saved his life after a haemorrhage following a routine operation, while wife Kerry required 13 units of blood to keep her alive when son Christian was still born in 2007.
She also required six units during labour in 2009 when daughter Amy was born. The couple also have a 13-year-old son Matthew.
The still birth inspired Rick to become a regular blood donor and campaign on behalf of the Blood Service.
He said: "Millions of pounds are raised for great causes at the Great Manchester Run and blood is the one thing that cannot be bought, but only selflessly given from the heart.
"Blood products are used daily and not always for surgery or accidents with most utilised for patient treatments. We all know of somebody who has received a blood product at some point.
"I'm asking people to give blood, not money as you never know when you might need it. Unfortunately, Manchester has a pretty poor record at donating blood. Nationally, four per cent of the population are active blood donors and this area is well below that figure."
Rick, 43, a United Utilities training specialist, turned to running to help him lose five stone and slim down to 14 stone. "I've taken part in the last two Great Manchester Runs and feel the benefit of a more healthy and active lifestyle. I changed my lifestyle and staying fit means I'll be able to give blood for as long as I can which means a lot to me."
Anyone aged between 17 and 65 and in general good health can visit www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 23 23. Rick is running for #bloodnotmoney.
To enter the Great Manchester Run on Sunday, May 22, go to www.greatrun.org/Manchester
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