WATCH: New advert released to mark World Blood Donor Day
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THE Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) have released a new advert to mark World Blood Donor Day today.
Inverness Blood Donor Centre needs to welcome a minimum of 160 blood donors through its doors each week to help support Scotland’s patients.
The campaign, filmed in Glasgow, aims to help build a donor base as the numbers of blood donors reached record low levels during the covid pandemic.
Debbie McNaughton, SNBTS associate director, Donor Services and Transport said: “We are pleased to launch our new advertising campaign and I would like to extend my thanks to all the donors who have featured in it.
"The campaign is required to help us recruit new blood donors. We currently have 96,295 blood donors and we need to build this to 105,000 active blood donors. Allowing for people who stop giving blood for various reasons, this means we are asking 16,000 new or returning donors to come forward in the next 12 months.
"Simultaneously, we are currently seeing a 7 percent increase in the demand for blood from hospitals. This is because NHS Scotland is busy post pandemic with high levels of activity. This is welcome news so we are asking people in Scotland to register as blood donors now, to allow this good work to continue.
"It’s never been easier to register as a blood donor. You can book your appointment online and 84 percent of active donors now have an online account. Open yours at scotblood.co.uk, and help us keep NHS Scotland running.”
Virginia (17) from Springburn Academy in Glasgow, is a blood donor who featured in the campaign.
Virginia added: “I personally believe that everyone who can donate blood should do so. It is such a rewarding feeling, knowing that you have made an impact in someone’s life. ‘At first, I was a bit worried, but once you’re there the staff are amazing and the process is pain free. I will definitely go back and donate more blood once my three months are over.’
