Highland shinty star knows only too well about the demand for blood
Fancy being a real-life hero?
No cape is even required to be a life-saver these days.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is appealing for more donors to come forward for their next session this Wednesday at the Badenoch Centre in Kingussie.
Newtonmore shinty player Fraser Mackintosh will be giving his 40th blood donation at the gathering.
The 41-year-old said he knows only too well the value - and the need - for blood through his work as a firefighter with the Scottish Fire and Rescue Service.
He said: “I started giving blood as soon as I was old enough.
“My dad was a blood donor so even at the age of 17 or 18 I just knew it was the right thing to do.’
“I joined the fire service at around the same time and it has enabled me to see first hand how people’s lives can change in an instant.
“When blood is needed in an emergency, I’m always aware that it’s for someone’s family member or loved one.
“I know I’d want it to be there for my friends and family so that’s why I feel it’s important that we all play our part if we can at all.”
He continued: “Working with the fire service has made me realise that you just never know what’s around the corner.’
“I’d say to anyone who’s never given blood before and isn’t sure about the process to just speak to someone who has done it.
“They’ll soon reassure you about how easy it is to do and how great it makes you feel afterwards knowing that you’ve potentially saved or improved someone’s life by giving up just an hour of your time.
“You just phone in advance or go online to book your slot then turn up on the day. The team are really friendly and professional. It costs nothing, you get free biscuits, and you’ll leave knowing your gesture will make a huge difference to someone else who is less fortunate than you.’
“Giving blood is an amazing thing to do at any time of year. One thing is for sure though, and that’s that if your giving blood in the run up to Christmas, your donation will make a massive difference to some poor soul out there over the holidays.”
The services currently has 870 active blood donors across Badenoch and Strathspey but is always looking for more as the need for blood is never-ending.
The SNBTS’s Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher said: “We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the donors in the the strath who regularly come to donate, however, we need more.
“At the moment we still have some spaces available out of the 95 places.
“Blood has a shelf life of just 35 days so we must make sure that supplies are continually replenished, and we fill our upcoming appointments.”
