Phuket teacher recovering after blood donations allow for safe surgery

PHUKET: Donors answering an urgent call for A-negative blood allowed doctors to perform a four-hour operation to repair the fractured leg of Phuket teacher Dean Jackson last night.

Mr Jackson, a teacher from HeadStart International School, was injured when he fell off his motorbike and rushed to the hospital with a broken leg (story here).

“We are pleased to announce that the Red Cross was able to collect enough A -negative blood, although it was quite a challenge and took a few days and the Phuket International Hospital doctors have operated on Dean last night from 8:00pm-12:00am,” wrote Miki Edouard, of the Administrative and Events Department at HeadStart, in a letter to parents issued this afternoon.

Mr Jackson has been transferred to a regular room and is recovering peacefully, she added.

“With this experience we have learned that the Red Cross is in dire need of blood donations on a regular basis,” Ms Edouard noted.

“For example, Dean was one of 13 people waiting in line for A-negative blood. We would like to take this opportunity to encourage anyone who is able to please take the time to donate blood to the Red Cross.”

The Phuket Regional Blood Center (PRBC) did not have any A-negative blood in stock to offer when Mr Jackson was brought to Phuket International Hospital.

Ms Edouard pointed out that Mr Jackson is conscientious and a very well-liked teacher at the school.

“Dean is a very dedicated and hard working Physical Education teacher at HeadStart,” Ms Edouard told the Phuket Gazette this afternoon.

“Everyone knows him as being a happy and cheery Australian fellow who interacts well with students and parents alike.”

— Mauri Grant