A man who ‘died for ten minutes’ after suffering a massive heart attack will visit a London blood donor centre this week to thank staff for the service that saved his life.
Matthew Allick, a 40-year-old father of two and Ealing Council worker, collapsed in 2023 after a pulmonary embolism caused a cardiac arrest. He was left clinically dead, without a heartbeat or breathing, for several minutes before being resuscitated and placed in a coma.
An MRI scan later revealed blood clots in his heart and lungs. During emergency treatment, Matthew received seven blood transfusions, which he says gave him a second chance at life.
Matthew said: “Without blood transfusions I wouldn’t be here today. The left side of my body was filled with clots. Having the right blood ready and waiting gave me a second chance at life.
“We often don’t realise how critical blood donation is until we’re on the receiving end. Someone’s decision to give blood saved my life. And that’s what I want more people to realise.”
Matthew, who is of Black heritage, is urging more people from Black communities in London to sign up as blood donors. Ethnically matched blood is vital for treating conditions including sickle cell disease, which disproportionately affects Black heritage patients.
Ro blood, a subtype 10 times more common in Black heritage communities than in the white population, is in urgent demand. Only 2% of all blood donors have the Ro subtype, making supplies a constant challenge.
NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) said that Matthew’s case highlights the need for more Black heritage donors to come forward.
Carolyn Roost, NHSBT West End donor centre manager, said: “Matthew’s visit is a wonderful reminder of the acute relevance of NHSBT’s work and I’d like to thank him for sharing his personal story. I know it will touch each and every one of the team and drive their commitment even more to collect blood.
“His visit puts a face to many thousands of people a year whose lives have been saved and improved by the generosity of the capital’s blood donors.
“Giving blood is quick and easy and as Matthew’s experience proves, it saves lives. Book an appointment to give blood. Call 0300 123 23 23 or visit www.blood.co.uk.”
NHSBT Chief Nursing Officer Dee Thiruchelvam added: “I’d like to thank all of London’s blood donors who regularly roll up their sleeves to give blood. Without your generosity Matthew wouldn’t be here today, and his children wouldn’t have their father.
“To keep pace with the increased demand for ethnically matched blood for a range of health conditions including sickle cell it is vitally important London’s Black communities come forward in greater numbers to help patients like Matthew.
“We need an additional 16,000 Black heritage blood donors this year. Men can give blood every 12 weeks while women can give blood every 16 weeks.
“To ensure the nation has sufficient blood stocks, existing donors should give blood regularly and I urge prospective donors to make an appointment today to do something remarkable and give blood.”
Chris Mitchell is the founder and editor of Harrow Online, Harrow’s leading local news platform.
He launched Harrow Online in 2010 as a Facebook page sharing local news and information. Since then, it has grown into a trusted source for breaking news, crime, council decisions, planning, transport, business and community stories across the borough.
Harrow Online reaches hundreds of thousands of readers each month and has a social media audience of more than 200,000 followers.
For news tips, press releases or enquiries, contact Chris at info@harrowonline.org.
