THAMES Valley Air Ambulance has released new figures which show it provides support for nearly 100 patients a year with life-saving emergency care.
As it marks Blood Donation Day the charity has shown it treats around two patients a week in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire.
Blood Donor Day takes place on June 14th annually, with this year marking 20 years of the celebrations.
It publicises the millions of lives saved through blood donation every year and celebrates those who give blood to help others.
The date marks the birthday of Karl Landsteiner, who was awarded a Nobel Prize for his discovery of the ABO blood group system.
Donated blood is used to treat patients suffering from blood loss as well as other emergency medical care in its response.
It uses a Helicopter Emergency Medical Service alongside its fleet of vehicles, and was only the second such service to carry blood on board its vehicles.
Last year the charity trialled the use of “whole” blood as part of the Study of Whole Blood in Frontline Trauma (SWIFT) initiative.
Crews currently carry red blood cells and plasma, which are easier to store and have a longer shelf life than “whole” blood.
The initiative saw them equipped with whole blood, which contains platelets– the part of the blood which aids clotting.
Back in May, it also announced that it is expanding its current headquarters in Stokenchurch, Buckinghamshire, further to bring critical response cars closer to major road networks.
This year the charity, which gives lifesaving care to critically ill and injured people, treated its 10,000th patient since it became an independent healthcare provider in 2018.
It has been called out to nearly 35,000 incidents in Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, and Oxfordshire, since it was established in 1999, celebrating its 25th anniversary this year.
Adam Panter, Chief Operating Officer at Thames Valley Air Ambulance, said: “The ability to give blood to patients who are bleeding heavily, for example after a road traffic collision, is just one of the hospital-level interventions our expert crew can perform at the roadside, or wherever it is needed.
“As a charity, every mission is funded solely by the generosity of the public. But we don’t often get to show our supporters the impact of their donations.
“With Emergency Helicopter Medics back on our screens, our community can see the difference their donations make to someone when the worst happens.”
Members of the Thames Valley Air Ambulance Crew are appearing on the Channel 4 series Emergency Helicopter Medics, showing on Wednesday evenings through June.
More information about donation and how to donate are available via: blood.co.uk
Information about Thames Valley Air Ambulance, including how to donate, is available via: tvairambulance.org.uk
