Maggie Hackney’s life was saved by a pioneering blood transfusion the year the NHS was founded. Now she’s appealing for Brits to donate a pint this Christmas
A miracle baby who was one of the first patients to undergo a full blood exchange has called on people to give the gift of blood this Christmas.
Maggie Hackney’s life was saved by a then-pioneering procedure to replace her blood in 1948. She was born with Rhesus disease which afflicts around 500 babies a year and occurs when a pregnant woman’s blood produces antibodies that attack her unborn baby’s red blood cells. If left untreated, severe cases can lead to hearing loss, blindness, brain damage and even death.
Maggie had been so ill hospital nurses urgently baptised her because they thought she wouldn’t survive. She became one of the first patients to receive an exchange blood transfusion which sees all the patient’s circulating blood volume slowly withdrawn and an equal amount of healthy, prewarmed blood and plasma infused via a catheter into a major blood vessel.
Maggie, 76, from Hitchin, Herts, said: “I was told I was one of the first recipients of an exchange blood transfusion. I was told it was revolutionary at the time. Even today, you can still see the scars on my wrists and ankles. I have been happily married for 52 years, and have three amazing children and three wonderful grandchildren. I will never be able to thank the NHS blood service enough for giving me a chance of survival as a newborn baby.”
Maggie never forgot why she was given a chance at life and has given blood regularly throughout her life. She became an ambassador for the blood service, giving talks in schools and colleges. The mum-of-three was awarded an MBE in the 2012 New Year’s Honours list. As a 17-year-old dental nurse in 1966 Maggie went to star in the 10-minute blood donation film ‘The Givers’, which was screened at cinemas before a film started, and is now being re-released online.
Maggie is now fronting an urgent NHS appeal as it has just four weeks to build the stocks needed to get it through Christmas and into the New Year. The Christmas period is particularly busy so people are less likely to find the time to donate. The problem is that the period is also particularly busy for hospitals which need more lifesaving blood.
Maggie said: “I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the blood donors past and present. I know that this winter will be difficult for blood stocks so please give blood if you can. People take it for granted that there will always be a supply of blood if any of their loved ones might need it. But it’s only there if people choose to give. I was an enthusiastic blood donor for many years myself, apart from a break for my three wonderful children.”
Maggie was monitored with regular hospital visits for the first five years of her life until medics could be sure it had worked. Nowadays in the most serious cases of Rhesus disease a full exchange blood transfusion can be carried out while the baby is still in the womb.
NHS Blood and Transplant has filmed Maggie’s reaction watching the ‘Look at Life’ documentary again, full of 1960s nostalgia. Former fitness instructor Maggie said: “Watching the Look at Life film after nearly 60 years was amazing, including seeing my mum. I watched it with my family and we had a giggle. I remember the filming as if it were yesterday. I was 17 and really nervous. It was the local swimming pool. I didn’t know the people in the film but we became friends afterwards. I went to the cinema on more than one occasion to watch myself!”
The new appeal comes after the Mirror launched the Give a Pint, Save a Life campaign to help blood stocks recover after the Covid-19 pandemic amid ongoing shortages. The NHS remains on Amber Alert for low blood stocks. One donation can save up to three lives. During Christmas week last year demand for the vital O negative blood type – the universal type used to save lives in emergencies – exceeded collections by 300 units. Last December the NHS collected about 108,000 donations – 10% below the monthly average.
Dr Lise Estcourt, NHSBT’s medical director for blood transfusion, said: “It was an honour to show Maggie this film again after nearly 60 years. While many things have changed, two things haven’t – the generosity of people who donate blood and the fact that it saves lives. This winter will be challenging for stocks and we urge people to donate blood to help us through Christmas and beyond. You could even help someone young grow up to live a full life, just like Maggie.”
NHSBT says donor centres in towns and cities are now most likely to have the unfilled appointments up until the new year.
To register or book an appointment visit blood.co.uk, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 2323
