Vanessa Agyemang, an international model and blood donor hailing from Greenwich, was lucky enough to step onto the red carpet with Hollywood stars from the much-anticipated film, World War Z, at the Leicester Square premiere.
Her invite to attend the event was in part thanks to the movie studio Paramount Pictures, as they are linking up with NHS Blood and Transplant, to promote blood donation in advance of the film hitting cinemas on 21 June.
National Blood Week, which runs from 10-16 June, which is run in coordination with NHS Blood and Transplant, is looking to motivate 10,000 people to commit to give blood for the first time or to return to giving blood regularly.
Although the premiere took place earlier this month, 24-year-old Vanessa, is sharing her experience of blood donation today, on World Blood Donor Day, to encourage others to help save humanity by giving blood.
Each year, on 14 June, blood donation is celebrated transversely throughout the world as people are encouraged to give the gift of life, by donating blood.
Vanessa is just one of 1.3 million donors who give blood in England and Wales. She was prompted to donate as she has a number of friends with sickle cell disease and they rely on regular blood transfusions.
Vanessa said: “A few of my friends suffer from sickle cell disease so I’ve put myself forward as an ambassador to promote giving blood. Because most people within our community don’t give blood, encouraging people to do so is really important.
“While watching World War Z, I saw United Nations employee Gerry Lane traverse the world in a race against time to stop a devastating international crisis that is toppling armies and governments and threatening to decimate humanity itself. Being a blood donor is much easier and I do it knowing that I can save or improve the lives of up to three people every time I give blood.”
To register as a blood donor, visit: www.blood.co.uk/savehumanity
World War Z lands on our silver screens 21 June.
