Air cadet commander is lifesaver with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service – 150 times over
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As Tony Hancock might have said, that’s very nearly 50 armfuls!
The great British comedian trembled at the thoughts of giving a single pint of blood in his famous sketch.
Neil Jack, air cadet commanding officer with the Air Training Corps Squadron 161 (1st Highland), has just completed his 50th selfless donation.
It has literally been a lifesaving mission for the 51-year-old, who was partly moved by his son’s worrying early life moments in a special care baby unit to provide for others facing health difficulties and potentially life-threatening situations.
“I feel so privileged to have been able to help so many people over the years. It really makes me feel very proud,” Neil said.
Every donation is split into three parts – red cells, platelets, and plasma – meaning Neil has helped save or improve the lives of up to 150 people.
“In my previous role as a special constable for Northern Constabulary, we would often see serious road traffic accidents and other unfortunate events that would remind us of the need for blood in our hospitals,” he said.
“I started giving blood in 1997, the year my son was born, and I’ve never looked back.
“My wife Lorraine has a rare autoimmune disease and when my son was born, he spent time in the Special Care Baby Unit.
“Although neither of them have needed blood, you just never know what’s around the corner. It makes you realise that there are some people out there who are in far less fortunate situations.”
Neil has also registered an interest in becoming a Plasma for Medicine Donor in coming months.
As a donor with a group B blood type, Neil can typically help around 13 per cent of the population. As a Plasma for Medicine Donor, though, his gift could be given to anyone in the country.
“When I think back to when I first started donating, the donor sessions were drop in rather than run by appointment like they are now. You’d turn up to be met by a long queue of folk waiting outside to do their bit,” he recalled.
“Thankfully, the system is far improved now. All you have to do is go online and pick a date and time that suits you.
“You get a text reminder and really, from there, all you have to do is turn up. The whole process is so easy, you get something to drink and a biscuit after your donation and you leave knowing that you’ve potentially helped save or improve people’s lives by giving no more than an hour of your time.
“I’d strongly recommend anyone who hasn’t donated before or who hasn’t been along in a while to go for it and get online or pick up the phone to get your appointment booked. It really could make a massive difference to someone else out there.
“The staff are so friendly and are terrific at putting you at ease. The more often you go, the more you get to know the team, so it all becomes quite a social thing to do.
“I’d recommend anyone who isn’t sure about the whole process to just speak to someone who has donated before. They’ll quickly reassure you about how easy the whole process is.”
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service’s head of territory Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher said: “We’d like to say a huge thanks to Neil on behalf of the 150 patients across Scotland whose lives have been saved or improved through his generosity.
“The Highlands have some of the most dedicated donors in Scotland, however Inverness Donor Centre and our new community venues need to welcome more new blood donors. We’re also very keen to welcome back those who haven’t been along to give blood for a while.”
To register as a blood donor or find out more about giving Plasma, visit www.scotblood.co.uk or call the team on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).
