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Highland blood donation appeal on behalf of Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) sees almost 600 donations so far





Darren Graham, Fraser Mackenzie and Norman Thomson of Future Group. Picture: Callum Mackay
Darren Graham, Fraser Mackenzie and Norman Thomson of Future Group. Picture: Callum Mackay

You are amazing!

Just a few weeks into our Give Blood, Save Lives campaign to secure 5000 donations of potentially life-saving blood across the Highlands and Moray and already almost 600 big-hearted heroes have come forward.

With each donation potentially able to be split three ways that is more than 1700 people in need who have been helped - so far.

Among the 590 people who have heeded the call to help are 34 who have given blood for the very first time.

Highland blood donations - 12 ways they can help at Christmas (or any time)!

Give Blood, Save Lives: Join our campaign to make a difference

A total of 41 plasma donations have also been made, plasma being a specific component of blood that can be used in a variety of ways including to help boost the immune systems of those struggling on that front, for example those undergoing cancer treatment.

Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) head of territory Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher said: “Giving blood or plasma only takes around one hour of your time, but it could give a whole new lease of life to patients in need over the festive season.

“We’d like to say a huge thank you to all the donors who have already taken the time out of their busy schedules in the run up to Christmas to ensure they’ve given their festive donations.

“There are plenty more opportunities to give blood iin the next few weeks.”

Among those getting in their donations before Christmas were two Highland businesses who gathered colleagues together for a collective act of giving.

Among those were donors from telecoms specialists Future Group Communications Division, led by director Fraser Mackenzie who has been a blood donor for over 10 years.

“It’s such a worthwhile thing to do,” he said. “It takes so little time and effort, and it could make a massive difference to someone else out there.

“After speaking with a contact at another business who’d organised a group donation event, I decided to do the same.

“It was easy to organise and a great excuse to do something together and have a good laugh outside of work.”

Staff from Breedon Group, a leading producer of construction materials, were also in a giving mood, among them first-time donor Stephen Chisholm.

“I’ve always known it was a good thing to do,” he said. “Giving blood as a group has made my first donation experience so much more relaxed and I’ve had great support here with me.

Nurse Jenny Cuthbert with Lynne Ross, Pamela Martin, Fraser Riach and Stevie Chisholm from Breedon.
Nurse Jenny Cuthbert with Lynne Ross, Pamela Martin, Fraser Riach and Stevie Chisholm from Breedon.

“It feels really good knowing that we’ve done something together that took so little of our time but can make a huge difference to someone else out there.’

Simon Johnston was something of a “lapsed”donor but was delighted to get back into the saddle

“I gave blood years ago at a local community donor session in Elgin but fell out of the habit,” he said. “When I heard the team were organising a group event, I knew I wanted to be involved.

“Coming together as a team helps you feel relaxed, and the banter is great too!”

Nurse Jenny Cuthbert with Lynne Ross, Pamela Martin, Fraser Riach and Stevie Chisholm from Breedon Picture: Callum Mackay.
Nurse Jenny Cuthbert with Lynne Ross, Pamela Martin, Fraser Riach and Stevie Chisholm from Breedon Picture: Callum Mackay.

There are a range of opportunities to give blood over the festive season and beyond - and if you are a workplace, social or sporting group keen to give collectively we would love to hear from you.

A community donation session is set to be held in Wick on January 8.

Book an appointment at www.scotblood.co.uk or give them a call on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) to find out more.


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