Blood service appeal

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is looking for people to help build up stocks for the festive season.

The service requires 470 people to give blood every day during December and with Christmas Day falling on what is traditionally one of the strongest collection days of the week it is asking donors to ensure they know their blood group and come forward.

Lynne Willdigg, Associate Director of Donor Services at SNBTS, said: “There are eight different blood groups and we aim to maintain a five to seven day supply at all times of each one.

“Our focus is to ensure that we consistently meet clinical demand and to this end we work closely with hospitals to forecast that demand. This means that we can provide donors with a greater level of detail about how their donation is needed.

“To keep supplies at safe levels overall in Scotland, we need 470 donors each day and all blood groups are needed to support patients. We are asking donors to check their blood group and make a special effort to attend. If you’ve never given blood, please come along and donate and we’ll write to you afterwards to let you know what your blood group is.”

She added: “As Christmas Day is a Tuesday this year which is traditionally one of our strongest collection days, we are asking donors to come forward to ensure stocks continue to build up in the run up to the public holiday.”

Anyone over the age of 17 in general good health and weighing more than 7st 12lbs, could potentially become a blood donor and help to save lives. To register as a blood donor or to find out where your nearest donation session is, call 0845 90 90 999, or visit www.facebook. com/givebloodforscotland @ givebloodscot www.scotblood. co.uk