Inverness Donor Centre welcomes 71-year-old making 137th blood donation
“Giving blood is one of the things you can give in this world that costs absolutely nothing and can do so much good.”
Having started his donation journey in 1971 aged 17, David Edes took in his 71st birthday last week by giving blood at Inverness Donor Centre.
He said: “My parents always encouraged me to follow in their footsteps as blood donors and it’s something I’ve always known was necessary.
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“Mum managed to give 50 donations and Dad gave 75 so I think they’d be pleased to know that I’ve just given my 137th donation and counting.
“I started donating in Singapore when I was serving as a navigation officer cadet.
“The Queens Alexandra Nursing Corps came aboard and asked if anyone might like to give blood and the captain nominated all of us.
“It was in the family for me, so I was more than happy to get involved.
“My son, also David, has carried on the family tradition and attends Inverness Donor Centre to donate plasma.”
Inverness Courier publisher Highland News and Media recently concluded a successful donations drive in partnership with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to secure 5000 donations of blood across the Highlands and Moray, hearing from those who have benefited directly from donations in times of need as well as those who have donated - both long-term donors and first-timers.
David said: “The systems have changed a lot since I first started to give blood but it’s all still fairly simple, so I’d say to anyone who’s never given blood before or who hasn’t been along in a while to just get booked in and do it.’
“If you’re able you should, and you just never know when you might need some help yourself.”
As a group O negative donor David’s blood can be given to almost anyone, making it an extremely valuable resource for emergencies where blood is needed immediately. Its universal quality means additional stocks of O- are needed to provide standby cover.
Inverness Blood Donor Centre, based at Raigmore Hospital, is open weekly on Mondays and Thursdays and will also open for a special donation session this Sunday (June 29).
Donations sessions are also held regularly at community venues across the region.
To find out more or to book an appointment call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm) or go to www.scotblood.co.uk
