Why we give blood together - Amy and Sophie

Midwives Amy (22) and Sophie (24) give blood together at Inverness Blood Donor Centre.

Sophie's story

'In 2013, I started out as a student midwife and began to see with my own eyes the difference that blood can make. My Dad was a blood donor so I knew how easy it was, so I began to give blood too. Now, as a midwife working at Raigmore Hospital in Inverness, I see day to day the benefits of blood donation and the good that it does. My blood type is O negative, which is nicknamed 'the universal donor' - less than 10% of the population have it, but it can be given to absolutely anyone, no matter what their blood group.  

It’s great to come along with a friend. It's nice to have a bit of company and a chat but at the end of the day, it’s even more blood to give. Sophie Harris

'Amy and I started working together in February this year. Amy had never given blood before and I mentioned that I had an appointment to give my 10th blood donation at the Donor Centre, so she called up to make an appointment to come along with me. It’s great to come along with a friend. It's nice to have a bit of company and a chat but at the end of the day, it’s even more blood to give. 

'We’d both say to anyone thinking about coming along that there’s absolutely nothing to be nervous about -once you’ve done it once, you see just how easy it is. And it makes you feel great to do something good for someone else.'

Amy's story

'Giving blood was something I'd always meant to do but never quite seemed to get around to.

'Sophie and myself carshare when we're on shift together and one morning, while chatting, she mentioned that she had an appointment to give blood after work that day.

 

Being a midwife, I see the difference blood donors make every single day. Amy Liddle

'I called when I got into work, and made an appointment to go along with her. I must admit I felt a little daunted as it was my first time and I didn't really know what to expect, however when I arrived I realised there was absolutely no pressure, and the nurses there are brilliant at putting you at ease. It was over before I knew it - the whole process was so much quicker than I expected. Once you give blood once, you realise that there's absolutely nothing holding you back from doing it again.

'My blood type is O positive, which is the most common blood type in the UK. That makes it sound like it's not that special, but if you think about it, it means more people will need it than any other blood type, so it's all the more important that people with O positive give blood.

'Being a midwife, I see the difference blood donors make every single day. Being able to forward book your appointment* for the next time is great as sometimes life just gets in the way but if it’s already in the diary you can plan around it.'

*You can book appointments to give blood at each of our blood donor centres, in Inverness, Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen and Dundee. Community sessions in the Highlands, Aberdeenshire and Tayside also run the appointment system.

What can I do?

• We're always looking for new blood donors. If you're a regular blood donor, why not bring a friend along to the next session you go to?
• If you've never given blood before, why not come with a friend? To find a session near you, look up our online session searcher or phone us on 0345 90 90 999.