AN OKEHAMPTON teenager is helping a campaign to encourage people to give blood.

Thirteen-year-old Bea Holman-Brooks is just one of the many people whose life has been saved, thanks to people donating blood.

Bea was diagnosed with Acute Lymphoblastic Leukaemia in January 2009. Along with chemotherapy she also had to have several blood transfusions throughout her 28 months of treatment.

One month on from the first ever National Blood Week, new figures show that between June 13 and 26 more than 2,311 people in Devon made a date to donate and more than 310 registered to donate for the first time.

A call for donations was made after a 20% drop in young regular donors over the last decade, raising concerns for future blood stocks.

Bea completed her treatment at Easter and is now in full remission. The Okehampton resident said: 'It's brilliant that people have given up their spare time to help others like me by donating their blood. 

'Their generosity means so much to me and although I can't thank them in person, maybe by reading this they will realise how important and valuable their blood is.'

Bea's mother, Helen, said: 'Without blood donors, Bea would not be here — it's as simple as that. 

'As part of her treatment, she needed several blood transfusions to give her a second chance, and thanks to the generosity of the blood donors Bea's treatment has been successful and she is now returning to a normal teenager's life.

'You never know what is round the next corner — and it might be either you or one of your family who needs a blood transfusion — we never thought it would be us. 

'­Please, if you can, give blood and help other children like Bea.'

Jonathan Sewell, NHS Blood and Transplant lead donor relations manager for the South West said: 'We've been overwhelmed by the public's response to our National Blood Week campaign and would like to thank all of the first time and regular donors in the South West who made a "date to donate", a simple act that will help to save and improve many lives.

'However, to maintain national blood stocks, we need almost 236,000 donations and 26,000 new donors every year in the South West alone —and there is a lack of regular young donors.

'We therefore urge the younger generation to make a date to donate and become life savers of the future.'

For more information about blood donation or to make an appointment visit http://www.blood.co.uk">www.blood.co.uk or call 0300 123 2323.