Campaigner's extraordinary tribute to husband nears 1,000 blood donations - as NHS renews appeal to boost vital blood stocks
A wife and mum from Kent who is appealing to people to give a 'pint' of blood in memory of her husband is backing an urgent NHS appeal urging donors to help rebuild vital blood stocks as her campaign approaches 1,000 donations.
Lorna Newbrook's husband Mike, 46, sadly died after being diagnosed with acute myeloid leukaemia. The frequent blood transfusions Mike received extended his life by 16 months, enabling him to make precious memories with their young sons Joseph and Lucas.
It was early 2023 when Mike, a Met police officer, noticed he was becoming unusually breathless. A blood test showed he was very anaemic and needed an immediate blood transfusion. Leukaemia was confirmed the next day.
The leukaemia was incredibly aggressive and Mike lost three stone and all his hair. The family were told that without blood transfusions he wouldn't have lived beyond the day of his diagnosis. He received more than 100 units of blood products to help his body cope with the chemotherapy.
What is 'Pint for Mike'?
After Mike died in July 2024, Lorna's brother-in-law Warren gave blood in his honour and sent her a photo with the message 'Pint for Mike'. This inspired Lorna to reach out on social media to ask friends and family to do the same and before long people unknown to Lorna were also sharing photos of their Pint for Mike.
So far almost 950 people have pledged a Pint for Mike and Lorna is now calling on the wider public to help her reach the 1,000 milestone by sharing their next donation at www.pintformike.org or on Instagram using the hashtag #PintforMike.
Lorna, 43, from Orpington, said:
"It takes my breath away that wonderful strangers all around the country are donating a Pint for Mike.
"Some are giving blood for the first time and others are regular donors. But they all say the same thing - that they've been inspired by Mike’s bravery and the fact that blood donation saves and improves lives."
Lorna’s plea comes as the NHS renews its appeal for more donors to come forward to fill thousands of available appointments over coming weeks, with a particular need for more donors with types O negative, used in emergencies, RO, used for sickle cell, and B negative, found in just two percent of the population.
Due to recent high demand, stocks of certain blood groups are currently at only half of what the NHS aims for – including just over three days of O negative, half the usual 6 days target.
As a teacher specialising in post-16 education, Lorna is also focused on getting more young people and students involved in donation. Over half of the current donor base is over the age of 45 and there is a real need to draw in more young people to become the next generation of lifesavers, and who have a lifetime of donating ahead of them.
Lorna delivers assemblies to sixth formers about blood donation and has also created a set of resources for teachers to use. To date her campaign has reached 185 schools across Kent and the wider region.
"If we can educate young people about the lifesaving power of blood donation, not only will they be motivated to donate themselves, but they will also take that message home to their families. It has been wonderful to see and hear from former and current students who have been inspired to start donating," she said.
Currently, around two thirds of all the blood collected in England is used to treat patients who rely on regular transfusions for conditions including cancer and blood disorders, like Mike.
Lorna added: "The NHS needs more people to fill appointments to give blood. And if you can pledge your donation as a Pint for Mike and help us towards our 1,000 goal, your support would mean the world - not just for us as a family, but for all those patients and families who are reliant on blood being available right now.
"People ask me what comes next after 1,000 pints and my reply is simple - we keep going. My sons are asking if we can go on safari if we reach 10,000 pints! With the love and support we have received so far, I believe we can get there.
"Blood donation gave Mike precious extra time. It means so much to me and to our boys that his legacy is inspiring others to become the regular donors the NHS needs."
Lorna has also been calling on celebrities to support – with backing so far from Simon Thomas, Dame Kelly Holmes, Dan Walker and Gary Lineker.
How you can help
Daniel Cooper, Director of Collections at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: "What Lorna has achieved with her Pint for Mike campaign is remarkable. The 950 donations already given in Mike's name will have helped as many as 2,850 people.
"And by encouraging everyone who pledges a 'pint' to become a regular donor, Lorna is ensuring that Mike's legacy will continue to help potentially thousands more in the future.
"Right now there are thousands of appointments available to give blood and we urge people to go online and book. Each blood donation can save or improve up to three lives, and each one of those is a family just like Lorna's."
Register or book an appointment through our website or download the NHS Give Blood app.