A MAJOR push for more blood donors is being made in a new campaign, with hospitals reportedly seeing an increase in demand.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is hoping to encourage some 16,000 new blood donors in the next 12 months to bring levels up to a more secure position. The donor base reached record low levels during the Covid-19 pandemic, the organisation confirmed.
Speaking on World Blood Donor Day, which takes place on June 14 each year, Debbie McNaughton, SNBTS’s associate director, said since lockdowns have ended, demand for blood in hospitals has risen by 7%.
The new campaign features blood donors from across Scotland.
McNaughton said: “We currently have 96,295 blood donors and we need to build this to 105,000 active donors, so we are asking people to register.”
Virginia, 17, from Springburn Academy in Glasgow, features in the campaign. She said: “I believe everyone who can donate blood should do so.
“It is such a rewarding feeling, knowing that you have made an impact in someone’s life. At first, I was a bit worried, but the staff are amazing and the process is pain-free.
“I will definitely go back and donate more blood once my three months are up.”
McNaughton added: “It’s never been easier to register as a blood donor.
You can book your appointment online and 84% of active donors now have an online account. Open yours at scotblood.co.uk, and help us keep NHS Scotland running.”
World Blood Donor Day was created to raise awareness of the need for safe blood and blood products for transfusion.
