Ealing Council Worker Who 'Died' Thanks NHS Staff
Heart attack survivor urges more Black heritage donors to step forward
Matthew Allick after receiving a tranfusion. Picture: NHSBT
July 30, 2025
Matthew Allick, a 40-year-old Ealing Council employee, is visiting the NHS Blood and Transplant (NHSBT) donor centre in London’s West End this Thursday (31 July) to thank staff for the blood donation service that he credits with saving his life.
Matthew survived a severe heart attack in 2023, caused by a pulmonary embolism that led to cardiac arrest. He was clinically dead for several minutes before medical teams resuscitated him and placed him in a coma. During his emergency treatment, he received seven blood transfusions, which he believes were vital to his survival.
Reflecting on the experience, Matthew said, “Without blood transfusions I wouldn’t be here today. The left side of my body was filled with clots. Having the right blood ready and waiting gave me a second chance at life. ” He added, “Someone ’s decision to give blood saved my life. And that ’s what I want more people to realise. ”
Matthew is using his experience to highlight the need for more Black blood donors. Although blood from a variety of ethnic backgrounds was used to treat him, NHSBT reports that matched blood—particularly from donors with the Ro subtype—is especially important for patients with conditions such as sickle cell disease. Ro blood is ten times more common among Black heritage people, but only 2% of donors currently carry it, making it difficult to collect in sufficient quantities.
After two years of rehabilitation—including relearning how to walk and feed himself, Matthew now advocates for greater awareness about the need for ethnically matched donations. His story is also being used by NHSBT to encourage new donors to register and existing donors to continue giving.
Dee Thiruchelvam, NHSBT Chief Nursing Officer, said, “To keep pace with the increased demand for ethnically matched blood… it is vitally important London’s Black communities come forward in greater numbers to help patients like Matthew.”
Ealing Council has welcomed Matthew’s advocacy as part of its broader support for public health initiatives. His case underscores ongoing national efforts to diversify donor participation and improve access to matched blood for patients across London and beyond.
Appointments to donate can be made through NHS Blood and Transplant’s website at www.blood.co.uk or by calling 0300 123 23 23.
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