ITV viewers reacted angrily when they saw Charlene White donate blood live on Loose Women.
The 43-year-old I’m A Celebrity contestant appeared on the long-running show on Thursday via video link from an NHS clinic in an effort to raise awareness of how ‘simple and necessary’ the treatment is.
The impact of the episode, which Charlene described as a ‘first’ for Loose Women on Twitter, was immediate, with co-presenter Jane Moore, 61, informing viewers that the donation website had ‘crashed’ before Charlene even gave blood.
Charlene was recorded with physician Josh at the end of the talk show, who took a pint of her blood over the course of around five minutes as she described how the amount might save about three lives.
Looking calm and relaxed, the broadcaster said: ‘The NHS is after every single blood type because the reality is this pint of blood could help save the lives of three people. That’s how important it is.
‘And they are very much in need of blood from those who are of African and Caribbean heritage because they’re ten times more likely to have RO blood, which is beneficial to those who have sickle cell disease.
In a @loosewomen first, I’ll be giving blood on the show today, to show how easy it is to do, the importance of doing it (especially if you’re a Black donor) and the impact it can have. So join us from 12.30, live from at an @NHS Blood Donation Centre. pic.twitter.com/1OEHLzTkwC
— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) July 27, 2023
‘Two of my friends have that blood disorder and I know just how dangerous it is when they don’t get an exact blood match.’
People with sickle cell disease, according to the NHS, create abnormally shaped red blood cells, which can cause issues because they do not survive as long as healthy blood cells and can clog blood arteries.
It is a significant and lifelong health problem, but therapy, including blood donation, can help control many of the symptoms.
All done, my pint of blood has been donated. Munching on a chocolate biscuit to recover, and then me and the @loosewomen team will be outta here. Thanks @GiveBloodNHS for having us.
Please do join the register/book an appointment to give blood ❤️ pic.twitter.com/gcEA4Z3aBW
— Charlene White (@CharleneWhite) July 27, 2023
People with sickle cell disease, according to the NHS, create abnormally shaped red blood cells, which can cause issues because they do not survive as long as healthy blood cells and can clog blood arteries.
It is a significant and lifelong health problem, but therapy, including blood donation, can help control many of the symptoms.
On Twitter after the show had finished, Charlene shared a picture of herself enjoying a chocolate biscuit, writing: ‘All done, my pint of blood has been donated. Munching on a chocolate biscuit to recover, and then me and the @loosewomen team will be outta here. Thanks @GiveBloodNHS for having us.’
To register to become a blood donor visit NHS website: https://www.nhsbt.nhs.uk/what-we-do/blood-services/blood-donation/
Loose Women airs weekdays from 12.30pm on ITV.
