'I was clinically dead for several minutes - blood transfusions saved my life but people need to donate'
Matthew Allick, 42, never truly understood the power of giving blood until his own life was at risk. Two years ago, the Ealing council worker was just 40 and considered himself fit and healthy.
But out of nowhere, he suffered a massive heart attack caused by pulmonary complications. One moment he was fine - the next, everything changed.
He collapsed from a cardiac arrest and was clinically dead - no heartbeat, no breath for several minutes. Medics managed to resuscitate him before placing him in a coma. Later, an MRI revealed blood clots in both his heart and lungs.
That was when he needed emergency care and seven lifesaving blood transfusions. This news comes after the NHS reveals one mouth symptom could be life-shortening disease.
Now, Matthew has made it his mission to raise awareness about just how critical blood donation is, especially within Black heritage communities.
'Without blood transfusions I wouldn't be here today. The left side of my body was filled with clots having the right blood ready and waiting gave me a second chance at life,' he reflects.
It hit him hard - he's only alive because strangers decided to roll up their sleeves and his children are able to still have their father, due to life saving treatment. "Someone's decision to give blood saved my life and that's what I want more people to realise.' he said
While those transfusions helped save Matthew, they came from a mix of donors from various ethnic backgrounds. And while this helped, the most effective match would've been blood from someone of his own ethnicity. But Black donors are still critically underrepresented.
People of Black heritage are more likely to have rare blood types - like the RO type which dramatically reduces the risk of adverse reactions. It's also essential for patients with conditions like sickle cell, who rely on regular transfusions. Yet only 2% of UK blood donors are Black and just 2% of all donors have RO type blood - that leaves a dangerously close gap between life and death.
There's a growing shortage of Black donors - not just for blood, but also stem cells and organs. That lack of representation directly affects Black patients, making it harder to access safe, effective, and often urgent care.
After two years of intense rehab relearning how to eat, walk, and navigate daily life - Matthew now uses his story to uplift others facing long recoveries and shine a light on the importance of donating blood.
'Matthew's visit is a wonderful reminder of the acute relevance of NHSBT's work and I'd like to thank him for sharing his personal story,' says NHSBT West End donor centre manager Carolyn Roost. 'His visit puts a face to many thousands of people a year whose lives have been saved and improved by the generosity of the capital's blood donors.'
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'Giving blood is quick and easy and as Matthew's experience proves, it saves lives. Book an appointment to give blood. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk. '
'I'd like to thank all of London's blood donors who regularly roll up their sleeves to give blood. Without your generosity Matthew wouldn't be here today, and his children wouldn't have their father,' adds NHSBT Chief Nursing Officer Dee Thiruchelvam.
And with demand for blood continuing to rise, it's never been more vital for Black communities to step forward to save lives like Matthew's.
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