Scottish blood service appeals for more young donors as active numbers fall 10% below target

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is calling for more blood donors to come forward as new figures show the number of active donors is 10% below desired levels.

The service is particularly keen to attract new donors aged 17 to 24, the smallest group currently contributing.

While Scotland’s blood supplies remain safe thanks to nearly 95,000 active donors, SNBTS aims to increase this number to 105,000.

The appeal comes during Blood Donor Week (June 9–15), leading up to World Blood Donor Day on June 14, 2025, highlighting the life-saving impact of donations.

Each donation has the potential to save or improve the lives of up to three people.

One such life saved is baby Ailsa Afrin, who will celebrate her first birthday shortly after World Blood Donor Day.

Her mum, 30-year-old Eilidh from Perth, shared the harrowing experience of Ailsa’s emergency delivery last year at 34 weeks following concerns over reduced fetal movement.

Ailsa required two blood transfusions after suffering a rare fetal-maternal hemorrhage, where the baby loses blood to the mother’s bloodstream via the placenta.

Eilidh said: “It was an absolutely terrifying experience, and when Ailsa was born, she had to be resuscitated.

“She was pale and floppy, so she was given a blood transfusion. Then she received a second one in the NICU that thankfully stabilised her.

“The blood Ailsa received saved her life and my daughter is now a happy, healthy, thriving 11-month-old.

“We can’t wait for her first birthday and I’d like to thank blood donors for making this possible.”

Ailsa Afrin with parents Eilidh and Neil SNS Group

Debbie McNaughton, associate director of Donor Services, said: “For baby Ailsa and others like her who rely on blood transfusions, it is essential that there is an increase in the number of blood donors.

“These figures are concerning, as in line with other UK and global blood services, our donor base has not fully recovered since the pandemic. We have managed to maintain blood stock levels by regular donors giving blood more often.

“Demographically, 55% of Scotland’s active donor base are now aged 45 or over. Most of our active donors now fall into the age bracket of 55-64. Conversely, donors aged 17-24 now represent the smallest group of active donors in Scotland.

“Whilst we understand younger people are busy, we are offering sessions in schools and universities across Scotland and want to remind young people that giving blood regularly is a really important thing to do.

“51% of active donors only give once per year. We have lots of additional donating sessions in communities, workplaces, schools and universities across Scotland, and you can donate three times per year, so I’d like to encourage as many people as possible to give more often.”

To help boost donations, SNBTS is expanding sessions across communities, workplaces, schools, and universities.

As part of Blood Donor Week celebrations, a special event will take place at Glasgow Donor Centre on World Blood Donor Day, where patients who have benefited from blood transfusions will present donors with chocolates, symbolising hope and gratitude.

The SNBTS encourages all eligible Scots to consider donating blood and help save lives.