Scrumming down against blood cancer

On Saturday 13th August, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) teamed up with Alan Bell, Keith Wallace and Gareth Glynn of Bloody Rugby at Preston Lodge rugby football club, Pennypit.

Preston Lodge welcomed North Berwick, Haddington and Musselburgh for a pre-season tournament to contest the East Lothian Cup. It was an eventful day with the teams getting stuck in, both on and off the ground.  

We're looking to sign up as many clubs as possible to our Bloody Rugby Premiership Alan Bell, Bloody Rugby

Bloody Rugby is a charity organisation focused on 'scrumming down against blood cancer' by raising awareness in the rugby community, and aims to harness rugby's camaraderie to increase the donation of stem cells and blood products. 

Alan from Bloody Rugby explained, 'We are looking to sign up as many clubs as possible to our Bloody Rugby Premiership, which can easily be done on our website. This campaign highlights the importance of DKMS bone marrow registration and donating blood products. Extra points can be gained by sharing a photo on social media.'

As a player, Alan previously represented Dunbar, Preston Lodge and Haddington before being diagnosed with leukemia in late 2018. Following a stem cell transplant, Alan encourages others to sign up as stem cell donors and give blood products. 

• Tackle blood cancer by giving blood donation a try at scotblood.co.uk and sign your team up for the premiership at bloodyrugby.co.uk. 
• To Bloody Rugby and all the teams involved, thank you.