Some gifts are beyond measure. For my Daddy, Geordie Hylands, blood donations weren’t just numbers on a chart, they were the reason we had more time with him, more conversations, more memories to hold onto. When he was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia, he received 82 blood and platelet transfusions in just 136 days. Those transfusions didn’t cure him, but they gave us something priceless: extra moments with the man we loved so dearly. Now, in his memory, I’m sharing his story to shine a light on the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service's incredible work and encourage more people to give blood. Because you never know when someone you love might need it.
My name is Rhonda-Jane Greenaway. I am a Mum of five very busy kids and also the proud daughter of an amazing legend of a man, my Daddy, Geordie Hylands.
My Daddy was a builder and part-time farmer. He never quit…. never sat down, there was always someone needing help, something to be done. So back in April 2023, when he had been feeling extremely fatigued, he made a GP appointment, which was really unlike him, but all went ok and nothing alarming came of it or so we thought.
It was in early May that Daddy felt chest pain, which naturally scared him, and he ended up in Craigavon Area Hospital, which then transpired to Daddy being called back for further blood tests on 1st June 2023. From this, he received a phone call four days later from his Consultant in CAH, asking him to pack an overnight bag and come over to CAH within the hour for a blood transfusion as his bloods were low.
Between 5th June 2023 and 13th June 2023 Daddy received numerous blood and platelet transfusions, various scans and tests, which ultimately led to him being diagnosed on 13th June 2023 with Acute Myeloid Leukemia. We as a family were absolutely heartbroken. How could this happen to our amazing, hard-working husband and daddy? But we had to be strong for Mum and Dad and each other. We had no other choice. Daddy was blue-lighted to Belfast City Hospital at 4 am the following morning.
He spent 10 weeks (or in his words, '70 long days') as an inpatient in Belfast City Hospital where he received the most amazing care and attention from every staff member he came in contact with. He went through intensive Chemotherapy Treatment and again received countless blood and platelet transfusions during this time also. Daddy then got out of the hospital and was able to return home, much to his and our delight. Consequently, this meant taking trips to BCH a couple of times a week for tests, treatment, and blood/platelet transfusions if needed.
Unfortunately, Daddy then passed away on 19th October 2023.
Some weeks or months after he passed away I had time to reflect on his journey and subsequently was intrigued as to how many blood/platelet transfusions he had actually received. After a few phone calls, it was then I found out he had received 82 blood/platelet transfusions during his time of being diagnosed with AML. That doesn’t sound like a huge amount, but to put it into perspective, Daddy's illness lasted 136 days (from 5th June 2023 – 19th October 2023), and in that 136 days, he had 82 transfusions.
I very quickly learnt that Daddy receiving these transfusions gave us very precious time with him. His bloods and platelets were so low that we wouldn’t have had him for anywhere near as long as we did without them.
Some donations were received instead of flowers at the time of Daddy passing away, and in the months that followed, we as a family felt that those donations should go directly to the services that helped Daddy during his journey of Acute Myeloid Leukemia.
Daddy loved sitting outside Belfast City Hospital at the picnic table, so we felt it very fitting that we get a second table, and so we did. We contributed two coffee tables and chairs to the Haematology Ward in Craigavon Area Hospital, handed a cheque over to Friends of the Cancer Centre, and lastly but by no means least, I contacted the NI Blood Transfusion Service to see how we could also give back to them for what they did for Daddy and for us a family. After a few conversations and hearing Daddy's story, I agreed to do an interview with them, and I also organised a blood drive, held in Richhill Presbyterian Church on 5th June 2024 (1 year from Daddy was admitted into CAH). This campaign went extremely well and we had a packed-out session of 144 people booked in to give blood that day.
From this, there has been another successful Blood drive held on 6th November 2024, and we have another planned for Wednesday 4th June 2025.
I am extremely passionate about trying to raise as much awareness of the importance of Giving Blood, if you can. After seeing first-hand the impact it has on the person needing it, the families it affects, and ultimately, the precious time it gives you with loved ones. This service is very much needed here in Northern Ireland. From newborn babies going through life-saving surgery, people who have been involved in accidents, and the people who are receiving these, like Daddy, to give them that precious time with their loved ones.
You have no idea when you or a member of your beloved family may need these life-saving donations.
How to give blood
If you visit the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service you can access all the information you need.
You will find an eligibility checker, a list of all the locations where blood donation sessions are being held in the coming weeks, how to register to become a blood donor, and everything explaining the process of donation.
There is also a helpline number to contact if you have any further queries – 0808 553 4653.
How long does it take to give blood?
It takes approx. 30 mins of your day, 3 - 4 times a year and each time you give blood you’re saving at least three people's lives. Imagine saying you have saved someone's life today just by giving up that 30 minutes of your day! There really is no greater gift than life!
I can't stress enough just how important I think this is. If you can give blood, please do.
Thank You!
Love Rhonda x