A SELFLESS dad died from Covid after delaying getting his first jab so he could give blood.
Andrew Killeen, 34, had been trying to book his appointment when he began suffering flu-like symptoms.
But his condition changed “overnight” and he was rushed to hospital where he was placed on a ventilator for three weeks.
Tragically the dad-of-two, who had no underlying health conditions, passed away on August 10, Teesside Live reports.
Andrew’s wife Laura, 33, said: “He really wanted the vaccine, and if he had been a bit more selfish, he might still be alive.
“He always gave to charity and would do anything for anyone. Everyone loved him for that.
“He had a heart of gold, he was very funny, and he had a huge personality.”
The family all tested positive for Covid and isolated at home in Stockton.
At first Laura believed “life would be back to normal in a week or so” but said “instead our family is changed forever”.
She added: “Covid hasn’t gone away and it is still having devastating consequences for people who are otherwise fit and healthy.”
The dad, who has two daughters aged ten and five, spent three weeks in ICU at North Tees Hospital in Stockton.
Laura said: “Visiting is only allowed if the prognosis isn’t looking good, so I was able to be with him when he died.
“The nurse that was with him on that awful day was absolutely amazing, nothing was too much trouble.”
TRAGIC END
She has now praised staff on the unit and said Andrew was treated with “such kindness and dignity” when he was put into an induced coma.
Laura has launched a JustGiving page to raise money for the staff that helped Andrew.
She said: “Much to my annoyance over the years, Andrew thought cut flowers were a waste of money.
“So we have decided that the money that would have been spent on flowers for the funeral should go to the staff that tried so hard to bring him home to his two daughters.
“All money will be used to directly benefit the staff, whether its to pay for a new sofa for the staff room or to be used as a biscuit and cake fund.”
NHS guidance states anyone who has been vaccinated must wait seven full days before donating blood.
People who have experienced side effects such as a temperature or aches and chills must wait 28 days from their recovery.
