Thanks for Highlanders who gave blood
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Organisers of a festive blood donation drive are thanking those who contributed – but say they always need more donations in the Highlands.
The appeal was launched last month by the Inverness blood donor centre with the phrase: “We’d love to see you”.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) sought new Highland blood donors, particularly in Inverness and the surrounding area.
The region currently needs 66 new donors per month – with half of these people needed at Inverness Donor Centre.
The Highlands previously had 18,548 registered blood donors, but only 2866 of those donate regularly in Inverness.
Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher, SNBTS service head of territory for the northern arch, said: “On behalf of patients across Scotland, I’d like to take this chance to thank everyone who braved the weather to give blood this Christmas and New Year.
“Sixty-five new people signed up to donate this December, and as everyone who gives blood could help save or improve the lives of up to three people, every single new donor is precious.
“Several local businesses also got in touch about organising regular corporate donations. Patients in Scotland cannot thank these Highlanders enough – every last one of them has changed lives over the festive period.”
However, she said that Scotland still needed many more people to become regular blood donors and added: “Inverness Blood Donor Centre needs to bring in 160 donations each week, an amount which often needs matched in local community sessions.
“If you are generally fit and healthy, and looking for a New Year’s resolution that could change lives, please come and give blood at Inverness Blood Donor Centre this January.”
Stacey Ross, a 28-year-old early years practitioner from Garve, backed the campaign as she was born with a hole in her heart, which was also the wrong way round.
She had her first corrective surgery at just five days old and has had countless surgeries and blood transfusions ever since.
At the campaign launch she said: “I’ve been able to achieve things in my life that I was told by doctors that I’d never be able to do, and I’ve only been able to do those things thanks to the generosity of blood donors.
“I remember going for a check-up after major surgery in 2004. I’ll never forget the look on the doctors’ faces after walking into the consultation room and telling them that I’d spent the summer canyoning and rafting at summer camp.
“I’d love to tell the donors that helped me that I was only able to do those things and make those memories thanks to people like them.
“If anyone has never given blood before or hasn’t been along in a while, please just book an appointment to go along. I’ve known other friends and family that have needed blood as well so I really know the difference it can make.”
• Inverness Blood Donor Centre is open Mondays, Thursdays and Fridays. To make an appointment visit the he Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service website.
