A BEAUTY QUEEN from Barry who was seriously injured in a car accident earlier this year is encouraging people to consider donating blood, platelets and bone marrow this festive season.
Darcey Corria, 22, was crowned Miss Wales in May 2022, but her success almost came to a tragic end when she sustained a broken pelvis, back, jaw and neck following a near-fatal car accident in January on the M4 near Bridgend.
Emergency services teams worked at the scene of the crash for more than three hours until Darcey could safely be taken to the University Hospital of Wales (UHW) in Cardiff.
Darcey’s injuries were further complicated upon arrival when doctors identified she had internal bleeding, and she urgently needed two blood transfusions.
She remained at UHW for the following 20 days, where she underwent treatment and began her rehabilitation and recovery.
Darcey is recovering well from her injuries and is currently preparing to enter Miss World in February next year. She said: “Without the selflessness of blood donors, I would not be able to continue doing the things I love, and I may not be here at all today.
“I now have the chance to fulfil my lifelong dream and compete for the title of Miss World, and it’s thanks to blood donors. The blood donations were truly the best gift I have ever received.
“I’m so grateful to those who give up their time to help others in need. Sadly, I cannot donate blood now following my transfusions, but I hope that by sharing the difference it made to me personally, it may encourage more people to consider donating. It really can change someone’s life.”
The Welsh Blood Service is preparing to face winter pressures and has launched its Christmas campaign, ‘The Best Gift’ to raise awareness about the importance of donating blood, platelets or bone marrow and the lifesaving difference it makes.
Blood products have a short shelf life and are needed by hospitals 365 days a year, including Christmas Day, to help support patients in need.
In the run-up to Christmas, the Welsh Blood Service needs to build up blood stocks ahead of a potentially challenging winter, where seasonal illnesses such as flu and Covid-19 may exacerbate the usual winter pressures faced by the NHS.
Darcey said: “I would urge everybody eligible to support the Welsh Blood Service, particularly those from a black, Asian, mixed or minority ethnic background. By coming forward, you are really helping patients in need and providing diversity to the donor panel, which will help a larger number of patients.”
The Welsh Blood Service also manages the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry which recruits and supports bone marrow volunteers matched with cancer patients throughout the world to make a potentially lifesaving donation.
Currently, three in every ten patients requiring a bone marrow transplant do not find the match they need, and the figure increases to seven in ten for patients of minority ethnic heritage due to the lack of representation on global donor registers.
Alan Prosser, Welsh Blood Service Director, said: “The service must be prepared, so we’re reaching out to our communities across Wales to encourage them to make a lifesaving donation over the winter period, and for those aged 17-30 years old, to also sign up to our bone marrow registry.”
A blood donation session was held at Home Bargains on Palmerston Road, Barry on Friday, 15th December, and there will be further opportunities to donate at the Principality Stadium, Cardiff, on Friday, 22nd December, and at Asda Cardiff Bay on Wednesday, 27th December.
To check eligibility and to make an appointment, visit: welsh-blood.org.uk
People aged 17-30 can check their eligibility for the Welsh Bone Marrow Donor Registry when they donate blood or by ordering a mouth swab kit at: welsh-blood.org.uk/donating-bone-marrow
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