New lifesavers join the ranks
Pupils on bone marrow register
Balfron High students could become lifesavers after backing a donation drive.
Almost 50 senior students at the school signed up for the bone marrow register at a charity event last Friday.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service (SFRS) is part of a unique and award-winning partnership working to save lives with the blood cancer charity Anthony Nolan. A group of partnership volunteers from the Stirling area were at the school to recruit fifth and sixth year pupils.
Paul Elliot from the SFRS partnership said: “The response from the school team and pupils was fantastic and I’m delighted to say that another 46 young people were added to the bone marrow register, one of which was the 8000th person in Scotland. This was the second time we have delivered our presentation to the academy and, once again, we were very impressed with the pupils and teachers. They have really driven the event and their enthusiasm and passion for helping others was apparent for all to see. I would particularly like to thank Mr Watson, whose commitment and motivation helped drive this successful event from within the school.”
This is the second time the Anthony Nolan clinic has been organised at Balfron High and the school have promoted and delivered the event in a unique way. Under the marketing slogan of “Save A Life in March” three separate presentations are given to the senior pupils followed up with two clinics.
Partners from the NHS deliver presentations on organ donation and blood donation, with a massive blood drive organised for the end of the month. Pupils Mheta Stevenson, Sophie McElrath, Lauryn MacColl, Grace Currie, Isla Harper, Beth McConnell, Rebecca Ross and Katie MacLaren have also taken on the role of ‘Save a Life’ ambassadors.
Anthony Nolan recruitment manager Amy Bartlett, said: “We are hugely indebted to SFRS for the continued support and dedication we receive in our mission to save the lives of people with blood cancer. After eight years, this partnership has grown beyond all expectation, with over 8,000 potential lifesaving donors added to the register.”