NHS HIGHLAND: Do you have it in you to be a lifesaver?
By Ruth Fry
When you think of having the opportunity to save someone’s life, you might tend towards the dramatic - performing CPR on someone, perhaps, or avoiding a car accident. The reality is that thousands of people across Scotland - people just like you and me - save lives every day without even knowing we’re doing it. That’s because we’re blood donors.
Donated blood is used for a huge range of reasons. Red blood cells are used to for people who are having major surgery, have had a serious accident, or a childbirth emergency. They can also help people who are severely anaemic due to illnesses such as cancer. The platelets from donated blood can be given to people who need them, including leukaemia patients and premature babies. Every time I donate, I think about the journey my blood will go on and the difference it will make to someone else’s life - it’s an incredible feeling.
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We’ve definitely seen an increase in people donating locally since Highland News and Media has been running its campaign so our huge thanks go to the team involved and everyone who has donated so far. Now we just need you to persuade your friends to come along too!
Blood needs to be quickly available across Scotland, so donated blood is stored in one of 28 blood banks across the country. Refrigerated, it can be kept for 35 days, so we always need new donations to ensure blood banks have enough supply.
In 2025, there is a particular focus on recruiting plasma donors. Plasma is the clear, liquid portion of your blood. It contains antibodies and helps blood to clot. Plasma can be used to treat over 50 diseases, including babies with haemolytic disease - a condition which affects red blood cells - and people with compromised immune systems.
Plasma from your normal blood donation can be used separately to the red blood cells. But in some places we have specialised equipment to only take your plasma, returning the platelets and blood cells. We’re lucky to be able to do this in Inverness. We looking to recruit 1000 new plasma donors across Scotland this year and it would be amazing to have lots of those coming from the Highlands!
So who can give blood? You need to be between 17 and 65 and weigh over 50kg. There are a few other questions about your general health which you can check online at www.scotblood.co.uk. You can sign up on the website for an appointment or call between 9am and 5pm Monday-Friday to book one.
It’s natural to be nervous about donating if you haven’t given blood before. Everyone at a blood donation centre understands this and will explain everything and make sure you feel comfortable.
At all times of the day and night, people across Scotland are receiving blood or blood products which can only exist because someone took the time to register and show up for half-an-hour. An appointment that you can schedule into your diary on a routine basis could be the difference between life and death for someone you have never met. To find out more, or to book your slot, visit www.scotblood.co.uk or call 0345 90 90 999.
You have it in you to save a life and you can start today - give us a call or go online and join the ranks of blood donators.
Ruth Fry is head of communications and engagement at NHS Highland.
