Highland blood donation session was great opportunity for first-time donor
As someone who used to be prone to fainting and low blood pressure, becoming a blood donor is something I have been aspiring to but putting off for quite some time.
Having to keep fit for sports, not knowing exactly where to go, moving house, moving abroad - my intentions, as good as they were, always ended up being put on the back burner.
Now in my 30s, however, the desire to do my bit had been resurrected more recently, for a variety of reasons.
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First seeing friends and loved ones becoming donors and hearing their accounts of the process helped make it all feel a lot less daunting.
Also, realising just how life-changing blood transfusions can be for those in need.
An incredible young woman from Nairn, Rachel Suddick, lost her battle to an aggressive form of blood cancer in 2023.
She was only 22, but speaking to her father, her aunt and one of her friends, I could not help but admire her strength and grit, against all odds.
Battling a debilitating illness and aggressive treatment she was still able to graduate in pharmacology and immunology at Aberdeen University, transfusions giving her the energy to achieve her goals.
Then, last year, a reminder of how important blood donation is came from closer to home after my uncle was hospitalised with an acute infection.
As he went back and forth from intensive care, frequent blood transfusions allowed him some more serene time - maybe some hope.
Sadly, due to a number of complications, he didn’t make it, but I still recall the last time I saw him, not long after a blood transfusion, when I was able to speak to him. It was a precious moment, and one I am incredibly thankful for.
So, when I heard the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service had organised a donation session in Nairn, I knew I had to finally make the leap.
As a first time donor, I cannot say I wasn’t nervous. So, as I tend to do in these kinds of situations, I over-prepared.
Having an important rugby game the same week, I wanted to give myself the best chance of making the donation and recovering quickly. Two days before the donation involved a constant intake of meat, spinach, water (I am usually terrible at keeping hydrated) plus some vitamin and iron supplements.
The best tips of course, involved simple sweet treats before and after the donation - dark chocolate and a peanut butter and banana sandwich.
The Nairn Community and Arts Centre, where the donation session was being held, was a welcoming and familiar sight - and I am still surprised at the sheer variety of roles that space fulfils.
A good number of people attended on the same day I was there this session - 150 were expected in total.
Pre-donation involved a very quick questionnaire and booking online at www.scotblood.co.uk.
The lovely nurse that took me through the next steps at the centre made everything very easy and in fact a point every donor I have spoken to previously has made is how great the staff are. I can now say it is completely true.
After having my blood pressure and iron levels checked I lay down and was taken into the care of a lovely donor carer who took me through what I needed to know before the actual donation began.
In about 10 minutes it was done. I had given my almost-pint of blood and I didn’t feel a thing - no dizziness, no weakness though the free Kit Kat and apple juice I was presented with persuaded me it was probably worth continuing to lie down for a bit anyway!
Staff reminded me that my blood could improve the lives of three different people - as it’s divided into plasma, red blood and platelets. And that makes me feel even better.
I am still processing how easy it was, how good I felt afterwards, physically. And knowing how helpful the donation can be just made me feel hyper throughout the week.
I honestly can’t wait to do it all again!
Highland News and Media wants to bring 5000 people in to give blood between now and Easter.
Join our campaign to give blood and save lives.
Book an appointment to give blood at www.scotblood.co.uk, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
