One in four blood donors have a special type of blood that can help critically ill babies, the NHS has revealed.

Some people have blood suitable for neonatal donation because it is free of a harmless virus that most adults carry. However for the tiniest newborns with under developed immune systems, this virus is far from harmless and can be fatal.

NHS Blood and Transplant says 200,000 of the 800,000 regular blood donors have “NEO” labelled blood - although most will not realise their donation can go on to save the tiniest lives. Every week hospitals in England need around 500 units of red cells suitable for newborn patients and health leaders are calling for more people to register to become lifesavers for all ages.

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Two-year-old Joey Thacker owes his life to NEO blood. He and his twin Eva were admitted to neonatal intensive care after they were born at 27 weeks. Following emergency surgery for a bowel perforation at two days old Joey went into septic shock and he needed an emergency transfusion to survive.

Their mum Meghan Lusby, 26, from Lincoln, said: “Every time Joey went into surgery the doctors weren't sure if he was going to make it. It was life or death, basically. But it wasn’t just the doctors who saved his life, it was blood donors too. Joey would not be here if the hospital did not have the blood he needed in that moment.”

It comes after the Mirror launched the Give a Pint, Save a Life campaign amid ongoing shortages. One donation can save the lives of up to three adults - or six babies. Donations have been falling in part due to changing habits as more people work from home since the pandemic. Most available donation slots are at larger town and city centres.

A donation is given a blue ‘NEO’ tag if there was no evidence of cytomegalovirus (CMV) when the donor’s blood was last tested. Around 200,000 of England’s 800,000 regular donors have NEO blood.

Newborns can only receive blood that is lacking CMV which is a common and usually harmless virus that most adults are exposed to during their lives and stays in the body. It can however be fatal to infants with underdeveloped immune systems.

Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “Every donor can be proud that their generous act will save or improve the life of a seriously ill child or adult. And we know our donors feel especially touched if they see a blue ‘NEO’ tag on their donation bag, knowing their blood can help the most vulnerable patients.”

Joey remained at Nottingham’s Queen’s Medical Centre for eight months where more blood transfusions gave him the strength to undergo further surgeries. He also needed emergency transfusions to stabilise dangerously low blood pressure.

As a result of his early complications and surgeries Joey has cerebral palsy and short bowel syndrome but his progress has exceeded doctors’ expectations. His parents Meghan and Cobie Thacker say he is a bright and inquisitive little boy who loves football. Joey’s twin Eva received blood transfusions due to low haemoglobin.

Meghan, who works in clinical coding at Lincoln County Hospital, added: “I’m a blood donor and I love receiving the text message after I have donated. I got one saying my blood had gone to a children’s hospital, which felt like a full circle moment.”

Blood donor Katie Parker, 43, from Birmingham, recently found out that her donations were suitable for transfusing newborn babies. The news was poignant for Katie as blood transfusions saved the life of her stepsister Kate after she suffered catastrophic blood loss during the birth of her daughter Mia, now two.

Mum of two Katie, who works in logistics, said: “I had no idea I had NEO blood until the donor carer at my last donation told me my blood was suitable for babies and showed me the blue tag. It made me think of Kate and I texted her straight away to tell her. It was quite an emotional moment really as it felt so close to Kate’s experience.

Right now there is a particular need for more B negative, O negative, Ro and Black heritage donors in the lead up to Easter and the May bank holiday. During holidays periods stock levels drop as people spend time with family or have time away. NHS teams will be open and collecting blood on every day.

Gerry Gogarty, director of blood supply at NHS Blood and Transplant, said: “The NHS needs new donors to maintain the supply of lifesaving blood to patients of all ages. Please register today and book an appointment. Giving blood is quick and easy, and you will save a life.”

If your blood donation is needed for a neonatal patient it will be tested to make sure their CMV status has not changed and undergo other specialist testing. Register as a blood donor and book your first appointment via the GiveBloodNHS app or at www.blood.co.uk If you can’t find an appointment straight away please book for further in the future.