Highland blood donations really are ‘the gift of life’ for chemotherapy patients
Many people think the biggest need for blood at this time of year is to treat accidents or emergencies.
But Dr Julie Gillies, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) haematologist, says haematology patients are actually one of the biggest users of blood in Scotland, now and all year round.
Haematology is the medical specialty that studies blood and blood disorders, including their causes, treatments, and prevention.
Haematologists diagnose and treat patients with blood and bone marrow conditions.
Dr Gillies explained: "Christmas is a very special time, a time to spend with friends and family.
“However, a lot of people are in hospital over this festive period, receiving chemotherapy.
“Chemotherapy is often a lifesaving treatment but unfortunately it can cause side effects.
“One of those side effects includes bone marrow suppression, making that person reliant on blood components to support them until their own bone marrow function recovers.”
Bone marrow is essentially the body’s blood cell “factory”. Healthy bone marrow releases blood cells into the bloodstream when they are mature and when required.
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Without bone marrow, our bodies cannot produce the white cells we need to fight infection, the red blood cells we need to carry oxygen, and the platelets we need to stop bleeding.
Dr Gillies told blood donors: “So, your gift to each and every one of those patients receiving chemotherapy is truly precious and is the gift not only of love, but life.
“We would like to thank you for your gift as it is not only life changing but lifesaving."
Since the December 1 more than 158 units of blood have been used across the Highlands, at Raigmore and Caithness General hospitals as well as at Dr Gray’s Hospital in Elgin.
The oldest and youngest recipients were both women - the oldest 93, the youngest just 19 years old.
Two Highland patients received five units of blood over this time, one a woman in Inverness, the other a man in Caithness.
In other parts of the country patients have needed much, much more – as many as 22 units in one case.
This month, around 180 people have given blood at Inverness Donor Centre – and 551 across the Highlands as a whole.
Thirty-four of these donors had never given blood before – and we’d like to think our Give Blood, Save Lives campaign has played its part in this.
However Scotland needs more blood donors - and not just for Christmas.
A community donation session will be held in Wick on January 8.
Book an appointment at www.scotblood.co.uk or call 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm) to find out more.