Blood Transfusion Service makes urgent appeal for donations as summer stocks drop

The World Cup and the warm weather have led to a drop in Scotland’s vital blood stocks.

The Blood Transfusion Service has issued an urgent appeal for donors – especially in Aberdeen – due to a slump in supplies this summer.

There are currently 90,923 blood donors in Scotland – amounting to around 2% of the eligible population.

Scotland requires around 450 blood donors every day to meet hospital demand. Blood has a short shelf life of 35 days, making regular donations vital to maintaining supplies

The SNBTS is making an “extra special” appeal to those living in Aberdeen to give blood at the flagship donor centre located on the Foresthill Campus.

Two donors at the centre spoke about why it was important for them.

Lisa said she was inspired to give blood after her sister needed a blood transfusion during pregnancy.

“I am quite healthy so decided to. I think if you can donate blood, you should, to give a little back. You never know when you might need some help.”

Graeme was donating blood for the 124th time at the centre STV News

Graeme was there giving his 124th blood donation in 40 years.

“It’s about giving things back to society. People need blood a lot. My mother had cancer 29 years back and she lost a lot of blood, needing two to three transfusions.

“It only takes 30 mins, four times a year.”

The centre, which collects blood, platelets and plasma, is open four to six days a week.

While Aberdeen has nearly 17,000 registered donors, only 4,700 have actually donated in the last year. Nearly 5,000 registered locals are yet to give their first donation.

The centre aims to hold between five and seven days’ supply of the eight major blood groups, but stocks of A negative, O positive, O negative and B negative are below normal levels.

SNBTS head of territory Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher STV News

Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher, head of territory at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, said: “We have very committed donors but we’ve noticed our donor centre being a little quieter than usual.

“”We’ve had an unprecedented summer of sporting events. The recent football and heat wave have had an impact on Scotland’s bloodstock levels as regular donors have been busy.

“We’re also facing the school holiday period and we need to be replenishing our blood stocks to healthier levels.

“Scotland urgently needs more blood donors. We know that donations can drop during big football moments, but blood cannot be stockpiled, and Scotland needs to welcome almost 500 donors every day.

“We are also asking the people of Aberdeen to make an extra special effort to come forward during the summer period.”