ITV2 Blood Squad highlights

Curtis Pritchard donated live on TV

L ove Island’s Curtis Pritchard did his bit for the squad by giving blood for the first time on Halloween.

But this wasn’t any ordinary donation – Curtis gave blood live on ITV’s Lorraine programme.

He told Lorraine he was inspired to give blood after he was attacked when out with his brother last year.

Before donating Curtis admitted being, “quite excited but a bit nervous”.

However, his nerves disappeared once the donation started and he realised how straightforward it is.

“I was expecting a lot more pain but it’s easy,” he said.

Amy Hart gave blood for the first time

Another member of the squad also donated blood for the first time.

Love Island’s Amy Hart took time out of her busy schedule to give blood and show there’s nothing to fear.

Amy explained: “We need to start a blood-giving culture from a young age!

“If you start donating blood when you’re 17, you can continue to donate throughout your life and ultimately keep the blood banks going.

“My previous job as cabin crew prevented me from being able to give blood on a regular basis, but now I can, I will.”

And true to her word, as soon as Amy joined the squad she signed on the dotted line and got her appointment booked in.

Dr Alex George shared his experiences

ITV2 Blood Squad member, Dr Alex George talked about his experiences of blood donation.

“I see first-hand how blood donation saves lives. As a front-line hospital doctor I’m faced with daily situations where blood is needed urgently.

“There’s so many scenarios where we need blood, from cancer patients to those with serious injuries though to knife victims or women in difficult labour. In C sections sometimes four, five, six units of blood is needed.

“We’re so lucky to have blood readily available – without it we might not be able to save a mother or baby’s life from a complicated labour.

“I think the most I’ve ever seen is 20 units of blood in one person who had been injured in a car accident.

“Once you use the blood you lay it out on the counter and I remember counting 20 units of blood, which is catastrophic bleeding out of the aorta.

“Without the blood on standby, that person would have been dead. It’s as simple as that.”