Call to blood donors launched in memory of 'determined and amazing' young Nairn woman
Register for free to read more of the latest local news. It's easy and will only take a moment.
FRIENDS and family of a "wonderful" young woman struck down by cancer are urging people to donate blood to mark what would have been her birthday.
The initiative by those who loved Rachel Suddick – who would have been 23 today – seeks to raise awareness about the vital importance of transfusions for people like her.
Rachel, from Nairn, battled an aggressive form of blood cancer for three and a half years before she passed away in May.
"Ahead of any of the many transfusions she would be tired and lethargic," her father, James, said.
"But it was quite magical to see the power of a transfusion. She would have that cheeky smile and glint in the eye – and then say something totally inappropriate!"
The former Nairn Academy pupil was in her second year at Aberdeen University studying pharmacology and immunology when, after experiencing tiredness and strange bruising, she was diagnosed with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) in 2019.
Years of intensive treatments followed, including a bone marrow transplant and "too many rounds of chemotherapy to count".
Throughout it all she continued to study, even sitting exams from her hospital bed.
"She was very motivated and strong willed – absolutely wonderful," Mr Suddick said.
"It was quite insightful for her, knowing so much about the drugs and how they worked and what was actually happening to her during the treatment.
"She was very passionate about the subject, to the point she was actually able to include pictures of her own bone marrow biopsies in some of the essays she was writing as part of her course. I think this shocked her lecturers a little."
To raise awareness on blood cancer and encourage more people to become blood donors, she also opened an Instagram account called @transplantinpolaroids documenting her journey.
After her bone marrow transplant back in 2021, she decided to give a second chance and rescued her beloved Labrador cross Ollie.
Mirroring her own determination and positive thinking, in honour of what would have been her 23rd birthday her friends and family – including mum Ruth as well as her dad and siblings Abby (21) and Andrew (19) – are partnering with charity Give Blood 4 Good to organise a blood drive.
"Rachel herself was such a young, generous and kind, giving person, so when her best friend Ella suggested it, I could not think of a better tribute to her," Mr Suttick said.
Rachel met Ella Crowther (23) during a science camp in their mid-teens.
“We bonded over our love for music – Rachel was a big fan of Florence and the Machine – and going to concerts," she said. "We had the same tastes,we both liked horses as well and we just got on really well.
“She was one of those people who you could really talk to about anything, she was just so caring and loving – any problem, big or small, you could always share with her. Even when she was dealing with so much in her own life, she was always there.
She would often jump on a train from Edinburgh to Nairn to visit her friend.
“Nairn is a really beautiful place where to live, and she just really appreciated that. For me and a lot of her friends – we just have a lot of happy memories and just being with her.
“She was just a really just a really wonderful friend and she was also very determined and amazing."
On the benefit she had from the blood transfusions, Ella commented: “I remember going to see like in hospital during a transfusion and how she just changed colour. She was so pale when I first arrived, and we kind of sat and chatted for a few hours, and over that time like I could see some like color coming back into her cheeks.
"She always wanted to push those limits and she was very grateful for blood transfusions because they allowed her to do it.”
Megan Petursdottir, communications and engagement officer for Give Blood 4 Good said: “There are so many reasons why people become blood donors, and giving blood in memory of a friend, family member or loved one is definitely one of the most powerful.
“In just three days (since it started), Rachel’s blood drive has encouraged 150 people to pledge to give blood, which is absolutely incredible. If everyone who has pledged is able to donate, 450 people’s lives could be saved or improved.
“We’re honoured to be able to help Rachel’s family organise this blood drive in her memory, and hope that even more people will consider booking an appointment to donate blood, to celebrate what would have been Rachel’s 23rd birthday.”
Anyone wishing to sign up to donate blood in Rachel’s memory can do so via the link www.giveblood4good.org/rachels-blood-drive
