Transfusion service appeals for new Angus donors to keep blood stocks up over World Cup
Kirriemuir locals are being urged to roll up their sleeves and give blood to help blood supplies stay buoyant over the World Cup.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is holding two sessions tomorrow (Thursday), at The Town Hall on Kirrie’s Reform Street, and everyone is being urged to go along and make a donation.
The Kirriemuir sessions, which are being held from 1.30pm-4.30pm and then 6pm-8pm, has more than 100 appointments and every single one of them needs to be filled.
The number of people keeping their blood donation appointment figures fell by more than 20% following the triumphant evening Scotland qualified for the World Cup so SNBTS needs to ensure the country maintains sufficient blood supplies this summer.
Regular donors are especially important because their blood group is known and they can respond quickly if certain groups fall to low levels.
However, the country needs new younger donors too. Despite the constant demand for blood, less than 3% of Scotland’s population actively donates. Of Scotland’s 90,923 active blood donors, just 24% are aged 17-34 (21,461).
In fact, there are currently more active donors aged 65 and over (11,557) than those aged 17-24 (7,462), highlighting the urgent need for younger people to step forward.
Blood is needed every day for patients who are undergoing surgery, cancer treatment and emergency care. Each donation can help save or improve up to three lives and full details about donation sessions can be found online at scotblood.co.uk.
Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher said: “We want to welcome new donors and old donors alike – Scotland needs to bring in around 450 donations every single day to meet hospital demand, so every appointment filled and every donation gathered counts.
“Blood donation often dips during busy periods, but the need for blood never stops.
“We are asking anyone who is free on Thursday to make an appointment to give blood.”
Most people aged 17 and over can donate. New donors are always welcome and are encouraged to make an appointment online or by calling 0345 90 90 999 (Monday–Friday, 9am–5pm).