Woman sees herself in blood donation film after nearly 60 years
A woman saved by transfusions as a baby was “amazed” to see herself again in a blood donation documentary, nearly 60 years after it was filmed.
Margaret ‘Maggie’ Hackney received an exchange blood transfusion as a newborn to treat Rhesus disease. She went to star in the 1966 blood donation film ‘The Givers’ as a 17-year-old.
NHS Blood and Transplant has shown her the footage for the first time since then – she backs our Christmas blood appeal.
Maggie was filmed enjoying a day at the swimming pool and working as a dental nurse, all thanks to the people who give blood.
The 10-minute-long film also features footage of blood donation sessions and blood processing - it’s also full of 1960s nostalgia. It was part of the ‘Look at Life’ social documentary series, made by the Rank Organisation for screening in cinemas before films.
Look at life
Maggie, now aged 76, from Hitchin in Hertfordshire, said: “Watching the Look at Life film after nearly 60 years was amazing, including seeing my mum.
“I watched it with my family and we had a giggle!
“I remember the filming as if it were yesterday – I was 17 and really nervous.
“It was the local swimming pool. I didn’t know the people in the film but we became friends afterwards.
“I went to the cinema on more than one occasion to watch myself!”
I was told I was one of the first recipients of an exchange blood transfusion
When she was born, Maggie had been so ill hospital nurses urgently baptised her because they thought she wouldn’t survive. Her mother’s blood had passed through the placenta and was destroying her own blood.
“After the blood exchange, I was monitored regularly until I was five years old, at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital for Children in Hackney,” said Maggie.
“I was told I was one of the first recipients of an exchange blood transfusion. I was told it was revolutionary at the time.
“Even today, you can still see the scars on my wrists and ankles.”
Maggie was born and treated in the 1948, the year the NHS was created. She went on to work as a dental surgery assistant for 14 years then as a fitness instructor for 40 years.
She promoted blood donation throughout her life, attending donor recognition events and giving talks in schools and colleges as a voluntary ambassador for the National Blood Service. She was awarded an MBE for Services to Health and Families in Hertfordshire.
Give the best gift this winter
Maggie is now supporting the call for people to donate blood this Christmas. NHSBT has released a YouTube video of Maggie’s reaction to seeing herself on its NHS Give Blood account.
She said: “I will never be able to thank the NHS blood service enough for giving me a chance of survival as a newborn baby.
“I’d like to give a huge thank you to all the blood donors past and present.
“I know that this winter will be difficult for blood stocks so please give blood if you can. People take it for granted that there will always be a supply of blood if any of their loved ones might need it. But it’s only there if people choose to give.
“I was an enthusiastic blood donor for many years myself, apart from a break for my three wonderful children.”
NHSBT has warned it remains in an Amber Alert on blood stocks. Donor centres in towns and cities have many unfilled appointments between now and the new year.
To book an appointment visit our website, use the GiveBlood app or call 0300 123 23 23.
Maggie watching herself in blood donation film
