A MUM whose life was saved by blood transfusions after childbirth has urged more men to donate blood to the NHS.

Mum-of-three Kirsty Hinton, from Westcliff, has spoken out after she received blood transfusions following emergency surgery when she gave birth to her son Casey, in 2018.

Little Casey was also born Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia - a blood condition that lowers the platelet count of new born babies - and desperately needed blood.

He was also found to have Group A strep, which then led to sepsis.

As a result he was taken to the special care baby unit, where he stayed on life support for 36 days.

More than a year on, Casey has since been discharged from all hospital care after he received numerous blood and platelet transfusions and a year of monitoring.

Both mum and son are both doing well, and Kirsty urged anyone who can help to do just that.

The 29-year-old said: “Casey is absolutely thriving. Without the generosity of blood and platelet donors across the country, neither Casey or I would be here today. I am heartbroken that I can no longer donate as I received blood transfusions, so I now encourage everyone I meet to do so!

“We are a blessed family because of the kindness and support of amazing people - we are forever grateful.”

Her plea comes as part of the NHS’ January campaign which is aiming for 48 per cent of all new donors in the East of England to be male during this year.

Bosses at the NHS have warned without men’s donations, blood stocks will come under increasing pressure in the next few years.

The NHS campaign has targeted men to donate as there is currently an imbalance in the gender of new donors.

In some cases, only men’s blood can be used for some transfusions, as they have high iron levels, meaning they’re less likely to be deferred for low haemoglobin levels.

Men ‘s blood can only be used to complete transfusions in newborn babies.

Become a blood donor at www.blood.co.uk.