Home / Health / Boy, 13, Thanks Blood Donors for Life-Saving Birthday Gift
Boy, 13, Thanks Blood Donors for Life-Saving Birthday Gift
8 Jun
Summary
- A 13-year-old boy nearly died after losing 12 pints of blood during surgery.
- Doctors stated it was a race against time to transfuse donated blood.
- NHS warns of falling blood supplies and urgently seeks new donors.
A teenage boy, Elliott Wills, aged 13, has credited blood donors with saving his life after a severe loss of approximately 12 pints of blood following routine surgery last October. His father described the harrowing experience, stating doctors prepared for the worst as blood was lost faster than it could be transfused.
Elliott underwent transfusions totaling 23 units of blood, a critical amount that ensured his survival. This incident occurred at the Bristol Royal Hospital for Children. He spent three days in an induced coma and three weeks recovering.
Elliott's remarkable recovery comes as the NHS issues an urgent appeal for new blood donors. Supplies of essential blood types, including O negative, have seen a significant decrease since 2020. The NHS Blood and Transplant service is seeking over 155,000 new donors this year to meet patient needs.
