Blood Donor Service thanks Inverness heroes who answered plea for help over festive period
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More than 470 Inverness people gave blood and plasma at Inverness Blood Donor Centre in December to help keep stocks healthy over the festive period.
These included 52 big hearted heroes who donated on Boxing Day and 36 new donors who gave blood for the very first time - helping to save and improve the lives of over 1350 of Scotland’s patients over the festive period by giving one of the greatest of gifts of all.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) issued a plea for help after donor numbers booked in Inverness to give blood slumped from the usual 200 to 76 before Christmas.
SNBTS head of territory Dr Sylvia Armstrong- Fisher said: “These donations may have only cost one hour of your time, but they were priceless gifts to patients in need over the festive period.
“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the donors who took that time in their busy schedule over Christmas and New Year to give their festive donations.
“However, although stocks are healthy now, Inverness constantly needs more blood donations. We particularly need new blood donors to come forward, but we are also super keen to welcome back those who haven’t given for a while.
"For returning donors, it is now easier to make your next appointment immediately after donating, just like at the hairdresser.
“Our new plasma donation service is expanding at Inverness donor centre. This is a different kind of donation process, but helps a whole range of patients, including those with major bleeding.
"If you’re interested in doing more to help patients – particularly those with deficient immune systems, have a look at our website, or let us know next time you donate.
“It’s not too late to make a New Years resolution that could save lives. It might not always be easy to stick to the promises we make to ourselves like hitting the gym or sticking to a diet, but if you’re fit, well and over the age of 17, this could be your year to start helping us to save lives.”
Inverness donor centre needs to welcome at least 145 blood donors and four plasma donors every single week.
Appointments are available on Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays and you can book online, in person or over the phone.
For more information or to sign up visit www.scotblood.co.uk or call the service on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri 9am – 5pm) to check our "Can I donate" quiz and then book your appointment.
