Riding to save lives, Blood Bikes Wales is a little known charity that provides a service to get blood products for urgent blood transfusions to hospitals across Wales.

For Sandra Thomas, Blood Bikes Wales carried out what was for them a routine ride from the blood bank to the Pembrokeshire Haematology and Oncology Day Unit (PHODU) at Withybush Hospital in Haverfordwest. 

In September last year, Sandra was diagnosed with a tumour called a glioblastoma multiform, which is an aggressive type of brain cancer.

Major surgery, followed by six weeks of concurrent radiotherapy and chemotherapy left its toll on her body and whilst under the after care of the team in the PHODU, Sandra needed an urgent transfusion, as chemotherapy treatment had left her blood system in major crisis.

Repeated transfusions of normal blood platelets were not working and the concern of the PHODU care team was apparent as blood counts were dropping dangerously low.

After a series of tests it emerged that Sandra’s body was rejecting the regular platelet type that she had been receiving and something stronger was needed.

The haematology consultant at Withybush determined that an unusual autoimmune problem meant that Sandra needed special platelets matched to her blood type.

An urgent request was sent through to the blood bank and unbeknown to them, the blood bikers did their bit to deliver the special ‘gold top’ platelets, - - as Sister Jan Bower of the PHODU team called them - to Withybush Hospital for Sandra’s urgent transfusion.

Husband, Dave Thomas, told the tale at the April meeting of the Pembrokeshire Vintage and Classic Motorcycle Club (PVMCC), who are active supporters of the Blood Bikes Wales charity.

Phil Harris, fellow member of the club and area supervisor for Blood Bikes Wales, who was also  present at the meeting said: “Blood Bikes riders regularly transfer blood products from the blood bank to hospitals across South Wales, however, we seldom get to hear the story behind each ride we do,”

He added that this story of a real need for a fellow bike club member’s wife was profoundly moving.

Dave was delighted to be able to thank Phil in person and Sandra (shown in the photo) was able to meet the Blood Bikes team at the recent PVMCC annual show at the Haverhub, and thank them in person.

Sandra said: “Without the Blood Bikes team on that day, my urgent transfusion wouldn’t have happened and my recovery from the blood crisis that my body was in would have been delayed, so thank you so much to the Blood Bikes team and all the staff at the PHODU at Withybush, you were all truly amazing.”

If you would like to find out more about Blood Bikes Wales or make a donation, visit https://bloodbikes.wales/