Moonpig has partnered with NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) to create a bespoke range of Mother’s Day cards that encourages dads and sons to give a gift that matters by donating blood. The exclusive range includes 10 humorous and heartfelt designs, two of them designed by children whose mums’ lives were saved by blood transfusions.
The drive for new donors is vital as around 4,000 women a year suffer severe bleeds at childbirth, with the majority needing blood transfusions.
Research by Moonpig found 62 per cent of dads were unaware that childbirth is one of the leading uses of blood donation, therefore were unaware of the risks associated with giving birth. More than one in four dads (27 per cent) say they feel indebted to their partner after seeing all they go through during childbirth and a further 39 per cent think it’s important to thank their partner for everything they do as a mum. Therefore, these cards have been designed to give grateful dads a way to recognise their partner’s achievements this Mother’s Day.
The light-hearted range of cards include some to be given from the father, such as: ‘To celebrate you on Mother’s Day, I’ve decided I’m going to lie down with a nice cuppa…, and others to be gifted by the child, including ‘Mummy you’re bloody brilliant (sorry for swearing)’.
Two of the cards have been designed by children of mums who have required a blood transfusion. Kirsty Armstrong suffered a large bleed during the birth of her third child – her own life was subsequently saved by 20 units of blood. In light of this, her 12-year-old daughter has designed a card showing a blood bag entitled ‘We love you’.
Meanwhile, Laura Scott experienced a severe bleed whilst giving birth to her son Henry at 30 weeks, she then had blood transfusions totalling 22 units. Henry drew a heart alongside the words ‘Mummy, I give you my heart. Daddy gives blood. Because we love you!’.
Tara Burke is also taking part in the initiative; she suffered from severe pre-eclampsia whilst giving birth – her son Ethan was born prematurely and so they both benefited from life-saving blood transfusions. 10 per cent of card sales will be donated to charity Mind as chosen by Tara, Kirsty and Laura. Mind specialises in post birth trauma counselling, as well as providing advice and support to combat pre and post natal depression.
Last year, only 41 per cent of new donors were men, so it’s vitally important than more men try donating for the first time. The NHS needs 400 new donors every day to keep a strong donor base and maintain 5,000 donations every day.
Dale Boreham, design & publishing manager at Moonpigsaid: “We know that childbirth is one of the leading uses of blood donation so we wanted to help NHSBT highlight the life-changing difference dads can make to their family and others by giving blood. The ten cards in this exclusive range have a light-hearted twist on a serious topic and were designed to appeal to regular donors as well as the wider public wishing to celebrate the amazing Mums they know.”
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