Robert

Robert had not long passed his driving test when he was involved in a car accident which left him fighting for his life.

He suffered multiple injuries in the crash: fractured skull, fractured pelvis, dislocated elbow and damaged lungs, and huge blood loss.

Doctors put Robert into an induced coma for weeks. He suffered multiple organ failure, was kept alive by a ventilation machine and received 25 units of blood.

After about a month Robert started showing signs of consciousness and then slowly, over a 2 week period, he woke up. 

At first, he was unable to walk and speaking was difficult, but with further operations he regained the ability to walk, and his speech returned to normal. He has fought back with huge determination.

Robert said: 'When I saw the consultant later, he said to me: Robert, I want you to know that you are one of the very few who recover like this, embrace life!'

'I am trying to live up to this. I managed to get a degree from Falmouth University; I rowed in the gig rowing  (a type of Cornish rowing boat) world championships. I decided to raise money for the Leeds General Infirmary and cycled from John O'Groats to Lands End in 10 days.

'Without blood transfusions and blood donors and the incredible professional care I received, I would not be here today.'

Around a quarter of donated blood is used to treat patients in surgery – 5% of this will be for trauma patients.

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