Louise Thompson took to Instagram on Friday to urge her followers to donate blood, following her traumatic hospital stays where she received several transfusions.
The former Made in Chelsea star, 34, spent two weeks in hospital after losing “cups of blood” to ulcerative colitis while in Antigua on a family holiday.
In the heartfelt post, Louise shared some photos of herself cradling her young son, Leo, and admitted it wasn’t the right time to share “the important message.”
She told her 1.4 million followers that she had been watching an NHS TV advert on Boxing Day with her fiancé Ryan Libbey that encouraged people to donate blood.
Alongside the post, she wrote: “The announcement immediately sent chills down my spine and I felt immensely grateful to every person who has ever donated. EVER. ALL. Because I have received my fair share. Not as much as some, of course, but I still received an amount that makes me feel disgustingly sick and very impressed in equal measure.
Louise Thompson took to Instagram on Friday to urge her followers to donate blood, after being hospitalized for the fourth time.
In her heartfelt post, Louise went on to say that she wouldn’t have survived if it hadn’t been for the generous people who donated blood.
‘It wasn’t something I ever planned to do, but we kept going. And I am sure that without the help of all those generous people who have donated, I would not have been able to do it today.
‘So feel safe knowing that you are literally keeping people alive every day when you donate. A direct link. What could be more wonderful (and charitable) than that?
Louise continued: ‘I guess my main point here is: if you want to do something fantastic and you’re interested, why don’t you find the nearest blood donation site/centre or do some research on it?
‘I understand this is not for everyone. If you’re petrified by needles, don’t subject yourself to anything torturous. Likewise, if you have any kind of medical issue, it’s not something to burden yourself with and of course there are exclusions.
‘But if you’re fit and healthy (like I used to be) and want to do something philanthropic, then it seems like a wonderful thing… maybe you’ve chosen the wrong word. Probably not: LOVELY, but you should feel warned and confused afterwards.
Louise, who has been very open about her health, went on to say how touched she was by anyone who donated blood.
She added: ‘When I mentioned I wanted to post about this topic the other day to someone I work closely with and they told me it’s something they do four times a year, I burst into tears. I felt very proud to be working alongside someone so kind and selfless. Honestly, there are so many gems in this world. People who do things like this and don’t even mention it to anyone.
‘In all honesty, I’m gutted because I really wanted to give back but unfortunately I’m not allowed to donate. I asked my hematologist when I last had an appointment and unfortunately it is not an option for me because I had received blood products. Isn’t it funny that I used to be very afraid of needles, but not anymore? It’s amazing how quickly one becomes desensitized when he depends on them to survive.’
Louise’s outspoken Instagram post comes after the star was admitted to hospital for the fourth time in March.
Louise admitted there was no right time to share “the important message” and thanked those who had donated, admitting she didn’t think she would be here today if it hadn’t been for them.
Louise was diagnosed with ulcerative colitis earlier this year, which is inflammation of the lower end of the digestive system.
The mother has been in and out of the hospital since the birth of her son in 2021 and was admitted in March for the fourth time this year.
She was forced to cancel her Mother’s Day plans due to her recovery, but still managed to spend time with her son Leo (pictured with fiancé Ryan Libbey).
Louise has been in and out of hospital since giving birth to two-year-old Leo following a traumatic birth that left her with post-traumatic stress disorder.
She was discharged after a 12-day period at the start of the year, before having to return days later for a check-up and again 24 hours later for an ultrasound after her pain became unbearable.