World Blood Donor Day: Scotland’s blood donors rise to the post-pandemic challenge

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is marking World Blood Donor Day today by thanking blood donors who have increased the regularity of their donations post pandemic.

In June 2022, we launched a new campaign to increase the number of donors in Scotland as numbers of donors reached record low levels. Hospital demand for blood has also increased significantly over the past two years, reflecting increased activity in Scottish health boards.

 

Debbie McNaughton, SNBTS Associate Director, Donor Services and Transport says,

'The past few years have been challenging for NHS Scotland, and we have had to manage the supply of blood accordingly. We have seen demand for blood rise (it's currently higher than pre-Covid levels) and it's essential blood is always there when patients need it. We are grateful that during the past 12 months, our number of active donors has increased by 3%. However, we do need to welcome more new donors, and for this year's World Blood Donor Day we’re celebrating these amazing people who have helped NHS Scotland recover from the pandemic and also encourage new donors to donate.'

Debbie continues, 'The global theme for World Blood Donor Day this year is "Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often." In Scotland, plasma donation has become a key focus for SNBTS, and we're developing plans to further increase plasma collection. This will support patients who require immunoglobulin and other life saving products.'

A person who is grateful to blood donors is Ali from Montrose. Ali was 35 when she needed blood during childbirth, and says, 'I am a midwife so I regularly see women who require blood transfusions following childbirth, but only once have I been on the receiving end (total blood loss for me was three litres). Without my blood transfusion I'd have lost those precious early days with my baby, perhaps also my life. I’m forever grateful for the decisions my colleagues made that day and for the donors who helped me.

'At the time I knew I was going to be ok, I just needed more fluids, but I didn't appreciate the anxiety my husband Barry was going through. He had to travel with our newborn baby by car to Ninewells Hospital while I was taken there by ambulance. All the time he was wondering if he was going to have to bring our girls up on his own. Luckily that wasn't the case. We are so thankful to all the donors who give up their time to give blood.'

Greg, Dad of Sandy (6), from Dundee says, 'My son Sandy was diagnosed with Pilomyxoid Astrocytoma in January 2019 when he was two. The amazing neurosurgeons in Edinburgh Childrens Hospital delivered fantastic care and he required a blood transfusion then. Since then Sandy, who is now six years old, has been monitored through regular MRI's, and his cancer started growing again over the last year and a half.

'As of September 2022, just after starting primary one, Sandy began chemotherapy to stop his cancer growing. The chemotherapy drugs attack fast growing cells and unfortunately his haemoglobin and platelets are greatly affected. As a result Sandy has required so far eight blood and eight platelets transfusions.

'Every transfusion is a gift and priceless. Sandy is seven months into his treatment and has another year to go. So far initial scans are positive and Sandy himself has been incredible. He's stayed on target in his first year of primary school and attends, when he can, a weekly yoga class and para-sports football class through Dundee United.'

To mark blood donor week, SNBTS will launch the second new TV advertisement, filmed in Glasgow Donor Centre and featuring Glasgow Donor Carer Venopuncturist Raymond.

Raymond says, 'I'm really happy to be in the TV ad. I love working for SNBTS and think the donors are brilliant. Giving blood is a beautiful selfless act, and donors are our heroes.'

The TV advertising campaign is part of a three year strategy to continue growing the donor base in Scotland, and SNBTS is asking everyone aged 17 or over to sign up. Also featured in the ad is donor Jill from Perth.

Jill says, 'As a nurse, I understand how important giving blood is, and have always been a regular donor. It was brilliant filming in Glasgow Donor Centre, and showing just how easy giving blood actually is.'

• You can book your appointment to donate online and 84% of active donors now have an online account. Open yours at scotblood.co.uk, and help us keep NHS Scotland running.