Dad thanks blood donors for giving him three extra years with son who died aged 11

Charlie Herbert

In partnership with NHS Blood & Transplant

Mike Brown shares the story of his son Oliver, and the difference blood donors made to his son’s life, giving Oliver vital extra years with his family.

Oliver Brown was just eight-years-old when he was diagnosed with Myelodysplastic Syndrome, a rare form of blood cancer that affects just four in every million children worldwide.

He was diagnosed with the disease near the end of 2016, after a simple blood test. But blood donated from donors was crucial in his treatment, helping give Oliver vital extra years with his family.

“He got diagnosed one evening, down at our hometown of Plymouth, after a blood test at Derriford hospital,” Mike said.

“He had a blood test at midday, went into the hospital, we were called back in at 8 o’clock that evening to be told that they suspected he had blood cancer or leukaemia.

“By 9 o’ clock the following morning we were at Bristol Children’s Hospital and he was having a blood donation.

“At that moment there was nothing we could have done had there not been blood available so that he could have a blood transfusion.”

Speaking about the difference blood donors made to his son’s life, Mike said: “Before the treatment, Oliver was quite lethargic, which was the reason we went to the doctor’s initially. He was poorly, he was under the weather, he had coughs.

“And all that came about because he had low levels of platelets in his blood, meaning his body wasn’t able to function normally as there was an imbalance between the amount of oxygen and platelets in his blood.

“For Oliver, the blood transfusions would bring his blood levels back where they need to be.”

Mike described how Oliver changed after his first blood transfusion, and how “literally as the blood was going into him, you could see him bouncing back, starting to brighten up, change his colour and tone,” returning to his “giggly little self.”

Oliver was in and out of hospital continuously for three years, spending time at Bristol Children’s Hospital, the children’s ward at Derriford Hospital, and at Little Harbour, a children’s hospice in Cornwall.

Mike Brown and his son Oliver, who suffered from myelodysplastic syndrome

Over this time, Mike estimates his son had more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions, giving him vital extra years with his family.

“It certainly kept Oliver going,” he said. “At times when there was really nothing else you could do other than give him some blood because the disease was attacking him, it helped to almost dilute that disease and reinstate his blood levels to enable him to be strong and keep going for us.”

On November 2 2019, Oliver passed away at the age of just 11 from the disease.

So what would Mike say if he could meet any of the blood donors that helped Oliver?

Mike replied: “I would firstly give them a hug, and thank them for giving us time with Oliver. It was through blood and platelet transfusions that we got more time with him. It’s very difficult to describe what I’d say, because it really is a true act of kindness.

“You don’t know who your blood goes to, but our NHS use it to save people’s lives, and for that we would all be eternally grateful to anybody who help saved a love one’s life for us.”

And what would be his advice and message to anyone thinking of giving blood?

“Just go along and meet the team at your local centre, they are fantastic,” Mike said.

He continued: “Whether you hate needles or don’t mind them, they’ll help you out. You can look away, they’ll talk to you on one side whilst it happens, it’s very quick and easy, doesn’t take long, it really isn’t painful.”

“And maybe most importantly, you get a free biscuit and a drink at the end!

“Myself and all of my friends and family, we all give blood, and we are very happy to sit down for 10 minutes, put our feet up, and then get a free biscuit and drink at the end. It’s well worth it!

“And ultimately, when you get the message telling you where your blood’s gone, it’s a very satisfying feeling.”

Oliver had more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions during his three years of treatment

For Mike and his family, one thing came across more than anything during Oliver’s treatment: that you never know when you or someone you know might need a blood donation.

He explained: “The thing for me is that on the evening of Oliver’s diagnosis, we had no idea, we had no idea he would need blood transfusions. A few years ago my brother got knocked off his pushbike and went to A&E and he had blood transfusions. Many friends of mine have needed blood transfusions after giving birth.

“You could wake up today, or get home from work this evening, and find out someone you know has been taken into hospital and needs a blood transfusion.

“And at that moment in time you can rush to hospital and stand beside your friend or family member but you won’t be able to give blood to them. It has to go through the system and it has to be in the bank available to them. So at the point where they need blood, it’s too late for you to give it, you have to have donated it beforehand. That was a really stark message to us.”

March 9 was Oliver’s birthday, and every year his family organise a blood drive on this day at their local blood donor centre. This year would have been Oliver’s 14th birthday, and Mike encouraged anyone thinking of giving blood to head to their local centre on this day in memory of Oliver and be one of the “14 new blood donors we’re trying to get to turn up.”

Mike’s final message was simple. He recalled standing beside Oliver at Bristol Children’s Hospital, when all his son needed was a blood transfusion, but how there was “nothing” he could do as a parent.

“It doesn’t matter how much money I’ve got, where I’ve come from, what my background is, I can’t help him then,” Mike said. “It had to come through the blood donation system.

“So don’t get caught out. Just go, give some blood, have a biscuit, drink some juice, and just be ready in case one of your friends or family ever need a blood donation. Then it will be there ready for them.”

If you would like to register as a blood donor, or would like more information about giving blood, then visit the NHS website here.

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