Amazing Blood Ties!

Join Mina the Mouse on her incredible blood journey! Discover how blood travels after donation and meet the many people involved, each with unique stories.

Date & time
28 October - 1 November 2025 | 10.30-15.30

Event format

Attend event in person

Event type

Participatory interactive event

Event topic

Health and wellbeing, : Community Engagement

Audience

Children & families

Academic discipline

Science and technology studies, Social anthropology

Venue

Thackray Museum of Medicine and Moor Allerton Library

What's on offer?

A 5-hour interactive drop-in session introducing Amazing Blood Ties!, a children’s book on blood donation co-created by sociocultural anthropologist Dr Jieun Kim and textile artist Leigh Bowser. Children and their carers are invited to enjoy hands-on activities throughout the day, including crafting, colouring, quizzes, and games. At the heart of the event is a one-hour live storytelling performance by Matthew Bellwood. The workshop will run twice in person: first at the Thackray Museum of Medicine on 28 October 2025 (10:30–15:30), and again at Moor Allerton Library on 1 November 2025 (10:30–15:30).

What's it about?

This event, led by Dr Jieun Kim in collaboration with textile artist Leigh Bowser, introduces children to the stories behind blood donation through the co-created picture book Amazing Blood Ties!. Centred on the characters, Mina, Jun, and Yumi, the story explores the human connections and challenges involved in donating, transporting, testing, and transfusing blood, showing how donors, medical professionals, and patients are all linked in supporting one another.

A live storytelling session by Matthew Bellwood will bring Amazing Blood Ties! to life, offering an engaging performance that makes the book’s characters and themes accessible and memorable for young audiences.

Children will also take part in hands-on activities tailored to different ages: younger participants can draw, colour, and craft braided bracelets or keychains using beads to represent the blood donation process, while older children can join playful quizzes and the interactive Guess the Blood Journey game with sticker prizes. Designed to spark curiosity, foster empowerment, and promote social solidarity, the event combines storytelling, creativity, and learning to help children see how helping others builds stronger communities.

Who's leading the event?

Dr Jieun Kim, Associate Professor of East Asian Studies and sociocultural anthropologist

Open to

Everyone

Of particular interest to

The event is especially suited to children aged 6–11 and their carers who are curious about health, blood donation, and how people can support their communities.