Latest news with #ScottishNationalBloodTransfusionService
The Courier
29-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
How 83-year-old grandad inspired Stirling student Josh to set up university blood donor squad
Josh Wood has found a special way to connect with his grandad and start a new family tradition – while helping to save lives at the same time. The 26-year-old Stirling University student and his grandad Robert Smith, 83, now give blood regularly. And Josh, who is studying an honours degree in sport and business, has also set up a group at the institution encouraging other young people to roll up their sleeves. 'My grandad is one of my biggest inspirations,' Josh says. 'So it is nice to now be following in his footsteps. 'I had always heard about my grandad giving blood. 'So in 2020 I decided to start donating and he encouraged me. 'He was with me and it was a nice experience to do it together. 'We had a sweet treat afterwards which is usually a Tunnock's Teacake or a KitKat. 'It only took half an hour and it was nice to feel like I was making a difference.' This is why Josh is supporting The Courier's Be Our Blood campaign where we are asking people across Tayside, Fife and Stirling to register here and become a donor. Every blood donation can save up to three lives, but currently less than 3% of eligible people in Scotland give blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service needs 500 more people become a donor in our area this year. Josh is one of many locals across Courier country who are backing our campaign which is showing just how many lives have been saved thanks to blood donors. Grandad Robert reveals he was in his late 20s when he started donating. 'I had a lot of mates who were going to give blood so we all went and did it together,' he says. 'But when they stopped, I just kept it going. 'Giving blood saves lives. 'But I also felt it was beneficial for me. 'Because when the nurse takes your blood she checks it and you can find out how your iron levels are. 'So it's like having a health check four times a year.' Robert says he was delighted when his grandson started giving blood too. 'I am really proud of him for becoming a blood donor. He is a wonderful young man. 'It has been nice when we have been able to give blood together.' He adds: 'I try to give blood as many times a year as I can and I will keep doing it until they tell me I can't anymore.' Josh and Robert want to make blood donation a family tradition – with Robert hoping his other grandsons will follow suit. But meantime, Josh reveals that he has managed to persuade his dad Michael to become a blood donor too. Josh was taking part in a blood drive last summer in Ayr with his grandad when he spoke to a representative from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. He then discovered that while some Scottish universities had a 'Bloody Brilliant Uni Squad' (BBUS) initiative – like Dundee and Edinburgh – Stirling University didn't. So he decided to set one up. 'There was an induction day in Edinburgh in August that I went to,' Josh explains. 'I got all the information I needed from the charity Give Blood 4 Good (GB4G) to set up a university squad. 'I then started up a team in October.' The Give Blood 4 Good charity works with universities and other organisations to encourage blood donation among young adults 'I put an advert out at Stirling University trying to recruit new members and had four or five people reply. 'From there we set up educational stalls in the atrium, in the middle of Stirling University, where we tried to encourage people to sign up to become blood donors. 'We would walk them through the process. 'And we also did a quiz about why it is so important to give blood. 'We also try to bust some of the myths that might put people off from giving blood – like being scared of needles. 'It really isn't as bad as people think.' So far the Stirling BBUS – which is part of Give Blood 4 Good (GB4G) – has already made an impact. It's first blood drive last November welcomed 68 donors, 40 of whom were brand new donors giving their first donation. 'The biggest aim we have as a squad is to get people under the age of 24 donating,' Josh explains. 'This is because if we get them starting to do it at a young age they are more likely to continue donating throughout their life. 'The university is a great place to target students. 'And as it is such an active sporting university it's a place where students are more likely to do it. 'A lot of people don't really know about the benefits of giving blood – not only for others but also for themselves. 'One little sample of blood has the potential to save three lives. 'That's why blood donation is so important. 'It's about creating awareness and getting the message out there so we can keep the blood stocks as high as we can across Scotland.' He adds: 'My hope is to target first and second year students so we can get a few committed volunteers. 'So after I graduate there will be other students there to keep the squad going in the future.'
The Courier
16-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Dundee dad spent decades donating blood - then donors saved HIS life after shock aneurysm
For more than three decades Martin Cockcroft regularly gave three blood donations a year. But the 57-year-old from Dundee never imagined that one day blood donors would end up saving his life. He ended up being given nine to 12 units of blood at Ninewells Hospital after an aneurysm burst in the artery of his abdomen (mesenteric artery aneurysm). Today, the dad-of-four is very grateful for the lifesaving blood donations he received. 'I am extremely lucky to be alive,' he says. 'Medics said had I arrived a few minutes later in A&E I might have lost so much blood that I might not have survived. 'It was a very close call.' This is why he is supporting The Courier's Be Our Blood campaign where we are asking people across Tayside, Fife and Stirling to register here and become a donor. Every blood donation can save up to three lives, but currently less than 3% of eligible people in Scotland give blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service needs 500 more people become a donor in our area this year. Martin is just one example of the many lives which have been saved thanks to blood donors. Here is his story. Martin was a student at Dundee University in the late 1980s when he gave his first blood donation. During our phone interview he tells me what prompted him to take part in a session. 'I was studying microbiology at the school of biology and it was the first time I had come across the concept of blood donation,' he explains. 'I knew a bit about it from school but this was the first time I had actually seen a blood donation session happening. 'The blood donation people were all set up inside the Bonner Hall and I remember thinking it was a really worthwhile thing to do. 'At the time I didn't have a lot of experience with needles, but after having a vaccination I wasn't that keen on it. 'But I thought maybe if I gave blood I might get used to needles so vaccinations in future might not be so bad.' So the next time he saw a mobile unit at the university he went along and signed up. 'It went very well. 'And I was very much struck by how friendly everybody was. 'The staff were also really nice and helpful. 'Afterwards I thought there is nothing to stop me carrying on donating – and I have done it ever since.' Martin now works as a technical operations manager in the school of biology at St Andrews University. He is also a member of the multi-role medical regiment in the Army Reserve. Since his late teens he has continued to give blood regularly three times a year. In total he has made 86 donations. And he was planning to continue doing so – until he experienced a life-threatening situation in June last year. 'I was busy hoovering out the footwell of my car when suddenly I felt this sharp pain across my stomach,' he explains. 'I thought where has this come from and what the hell have I eaten? 'And then the pain just got rapidly worse.' Martin's wife Chloë, 54, who fortunately worked as a nurse at Ninewells Hospital, told him to lie down while she made him some fruit tea to drink as it might help. He continues: 'She appeared at the bedroom door about five minutes later with a cup of fruit tea and said 'I will be back in a minute'. 'Then calmly she went downstairs and phoned an ambulance. 'She suspected what it was immediately. 'When the paramedics arrived she told them I was bleeding internally and that I should be taken to Ninewells straight away. 'Basically an artery in my abdomen had split and my pelvis was filling up with blood. 'I was going paler and paler due to less blood being left in the vein. 'And I was also starting to go in and out of consciousness. 'My son Angus, who was 14, was outside on the pavement ready to wave down the ambulance so the paramedics would know where to go. 'Everybody was amazing.' Martin was then blue-lighted to hospital. At Ninewells Hospital, Martin had to undergo emergency surgery to repair the hole in his artery after the aneurysm. 'The artery in my abdomen had split. Instead of flowing through the artery it just started squirting out through the split. 'So the surgeons had to put a stent into the artery to cover up the hole. 'Once that was done they had to replace the blood which had been lost from my circulatory system,' he explains. 'I was given around nine to 12 units of blood which is a lot. I probably depleted their stocks a bit that afternoon.' After the operation Martin woke up in the high dependency unit. 'My stay there wasn't long though – I was there for less than 24 hours before being moved into an intensive care ward for a day or two.' Martin was still drifting in and out of consciousness after the operation but he remembers feeling surprisingly calm. 'I was in really good hands,' he says. 'There was no feeling of panic. I was just lying there thinking I am still here. I wasn't aware of just how close things were.' While the surgery was a success, doctors were concerned about some of his intestines and kidneys, which had been without blood for several hours. But they continually monitored him and did tests over the following week. And eventually his body healed with everything going back to normal. After taking some time to recover, Martin had been hoping to give blood again. But he discovered that after receiving blood transfusions he is no longer eligible. So instead he is now planning to join Blood Bikes Scotland – an independent charity separate from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service. 'I was really disappointed,' he says. 'But I still want to give back so I have a plan. I am a motorcyclist and have been taking lessons with the Institute of Advanced motorists. 'And if I manage to pass the advanced test I can become the rider of a blood bike. 'I thought if I can't continue to donate blood, I can still help out by becoming involved in the blood bike system.' Martin is very thankful for the support of his family who have helped him through his recovery. 'I am very grateful for the actions of my wife that day – along with that of the NHS staff at Ninewells. 'Everybody has been amazing.' Martin is now encouraging others to take up the mantle and donate blood if they are able to. 'If it weren't for people giving blood, lives like mine would not be saved. 'This is why it is so important for people to volunteer. 'I am quite privileged to sit here now and it almost feels like it never happened.' The Dundee dad adds: 'I wouldn't be here today without blood donations – I am extremely lucky.'
Press and Journal
15-05-2025
- Health
- Press and Journal
Blood bank visits Orkney for first time in 15 years, and donors couldn't wait to help save a life
First-time donors packed the Blood Bank's first visit to Orkney in more than 15 years. Across three days this week, staff from the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) have been running donor sessions in Kirkwall's Pickaquoy Centre. These are being held as pilot programme which will be reviewed in the coming months. If all goes well, Orkney could be included in future annual collection programmes across the north after being left off for more than a decade. When the visit had been announced, the Blood Bank hoped to see 75 donors per day. Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher, the organisation's Head of Territory Northern Arch, explained they'd already exceeded that with 157 attendees in the first two days. They'd been expecting a further 88 throughout Wednesday's session. With last blood donor session in Orkney being in 2009, perhaps it should not be a surprise that just over 53% of the locals they've seen are new donors. While this means extra time on admin for the team, Dr Armstrong-Fisher said getting new donors is important for the service as it means maintaining a much-needed healthy stock of people willing to donate. Dr Armstrong-Fisher said: 'It's been very busy but we've had a really tremendous response from the people of Orkney. 'We've had an enormous turnout from new donors. 'If everything's going smoothly, it would take one hour for someone to give blood. 'But we have so many first-time donors that they're not used to the process and there's a lot of questions to go through. 'We also have to make sure every donor has the very best experience.' So why haven't there been session in Orkney for so long? Dr Armstrong-Fisher said: 'In 2009, due to challenges with transporting blood back from Orkney, and other issues such as staffing, we undertook a full review of Orkney collection. 'As a result of this review, which identified significant challenges with logistics and staffing, Orkney collection was ceased at that time. 'We've been pleased to return as part of a pilot. 'We've asking both donors and staff for feedback on their experience. She also explained that the logistics of carrying out the donation session on an island can 'make things a little twitchy.' Each day, a vehicle holding the blood in controlled storage had to leave the Pickaquoy centre at about 3.15pm to catch the afternoon ferry from Stromness to the Scottish mainland. It then makes its way down to wherever a team from Inverness are working that day, which has meant a trip to Elgin some days. This has to be done within 24 hours, so any delay to the ferries could knock back the order of things. After that, the blood then travels further to Edinburgh and the Jack Copland Centre. Orcadians have certainly stepped up to use the visiting service with all slots completely filled within four days of being announced. Speaking to two of the donors, they said they wanted to do what they can. Waiting give blood, Stephanie Scollie, from Kirkwal,l said: 'It's something I've always wanted to do just to see if I can help somebody. 'My sister had a blood transfusion during her pregnancy. So it was an easy decision to come along and do it. Tanya Digby was in the process of giving blood. She said: 'I've done it because I would hate to think of an operation being cancelled for anyone because there's a shortage of blood. 'It's the one thing I can do to help.'
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
How donated blood saved THREE lives in one Dundee family
Without blood donors Dundee mum Kerry Larmour and her two children wouldn't be here today. All three of them needed blood transfusions to survive. Kerry faced life-threatening complications after giving birth to her son Joel who was born prematurely and needed a heart operation. Her daughter Willow arrived more than three months before her due date and required life-saving treatment. All three are incredibly grateful for the blood donations they received – giving them the gift of life. That is why they are backing The Courier's Be Our Blood campaign where we are asking people across Tayside, Fife and Stirling to register here and become a donor. Every blood donation can save up to three lives, but currently less than 3% of eligible people in Scotland give blood. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service needs 500 more people become a donor in our area this year. The Larmour family are just one example of the many lives which have been saved thanks to blood donors. Here is their story. In 2010 Kerry, who was working as a nurse at Ninewells Hospital at the time, was pregnant with her and Adam's first child, Joel. But during her pregnancy she developed pre-eclampsia – a condition that causes high blood pressure in expectant mothers. As a result the then 26-year-old ended up having a c-section with Joel being born prematurely on November 26 at 27 weeks. 'In the days after having Joel I was really unwell,' Kerry explains. 'I had had a C-section but wasn't recovering and I didn't know why. 'I didn't see Joel for the first five days after he was born. 'On the third day I tried to get out of bed as I wanted to see him. 'But I ended up collapsing and being put on oxygen. I just knew something wasn't right.' A doctor examined Kerry and found she was bleeding internally. As a result Kerry was admitted for emergency surgery straight away. 'They rushed me down and by the time I got to theatre my blood pressure had crashed,' she says. 'I was aware of what was happening – because of my nursing experience. 'So I was shouting that they would have to get me blood and put me to sleep otherwise I was going to die. 'When I woke up they told me they had been able to stop the bleeding but I had lost a lot of blood. 'I had had a massive internal bleed due to complications from the Caesarean section. 'But after being three pints of blood, I recovered quite quickly. 'I didn't realise until after this happened that there is a unit of blood sitting for every mother going into hospital to have a baby. 'This is because blood loss can be a complication after pregnancy.' Kerry, who now works as a health and social care lecturer at Dundee and Angus College, adds: 'I had donated blood regularly since I was 18 but I never thought in a million years that I would ever need it. 'It saved my life.' Joel, who is now 14 years old, only weighed 1lb 80z when he was born at 27 weeks. Due to being born prematurely, he had problems with his heart which caused breathing difficulties so required ventilation for the first three months of his life. Premature babies are at higher risk for anaemia (not having enough red blood cells) because their bodies haven't fully developed the ability to produce red blood cells efficiently. And they may also lose blood more easily during medical procedures. Kerry says: 'Joel had a total of eight blood transfusions throughout the 103 days he was in hospital. 'His spleen and bone marrow was immature so he wasn't able to make red blood cells as quickly. 'We started to realise when he needed a blood transfusion because he would go really pale and needed more oxygen. 'About a month after he was born he also had to be transferred to Yorkhill Hospital for a heart operation. 'He needed blood for that too.' Meanwhile, Willow, 10, was due to be born on November 30, 2014. As Kerry had had problems with Joel's birth, medics were monitoring her closely during her second pregnancy. After the 20-week scan doctors told Kerry her baby girl was likely to be premature as she was very small. She ended up arriving more than three months early on August 29. Kerry says: 'When I knew she was going to be born early the first thing I did was to check with Gwen (from Dundee Blood Donor Centre) to make sure there was enough blood. 'Willow was born by C-section at 26 weeks and she weighed lb 2oz. 'She was a lot sicker than Joel was when she was born. 'She had a few complications so I can't remember exactly how many blood transfusions she had, but I remember she had a few. 'She was in hospital for the same amount of time as Joel – 103 days.' Kerry and Adam, 42, have both given blood over the years although since her transfusion, Kerry is no longer able to. However, due to her experience and how the donations saved her family, she would encourage as many people as possible to come forward and donate. 'Myself, Joel and Willow wouldn't be here without blood donations,' she says. 'We are so grateful to those blood donors. 'This selfless act saved our lives – along with the speedy interventions from medical staff. 'I never ever thought I would need blood but you just never know when you might need it. 'Everyone has different blood types and if you have lost a lot of blood you just automatically expect it to be there.' She adds: 'Don't just assume you can't give blood, staff can check if you are eligible. 'And the staff doing it are all experts – they will be with you the whole time if you feel anxious about it. 'It doesn't take long and at the end of the day you could save someone's life.'
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Health
- The Courier
Be Our Blood campaign to find donors in Tayside, Fife, Stirling
Every donation of blood can save three lives. That's a powerful statistic. It's why The Courier is launching the Be Our Blood campaign alongside The Scottish Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to encourage more people in our area to register. At least 500 names are needed. Below, Dr Sylvia Armstrong-Fisher, head of donor services for Dundee, covering Tayside, Fife and Stirlingshire, explains the importance of blood donation in our community. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) are delighted to be working with The Courier to encourage more people in Tayside, Fife and Stirling to give blood. Blood has the power to help so many people in so many ways. Every time you give blood you can help to save or improve the lives of three patients in Scotland. Many people know about the need for blood and blood donors, but as less than 3% of the eligible Scottish population give blood, we'd like to encourage more people to get involved. During the next year the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) Dundee team needs to welcome 18,587 donors, this equates to 357 donors per week. Our Dundee team collect blood five days a week across the north east of Scotland. The team currently visit Aberfeldy, Arbroath, Brechin, Crieff, Carnoustie, Dunblane, Forfar, Kirriemuir, Montrose, Perth, St Monans, Strathmiglo, St Andrews and Wellbank two or three time a year, while our Donor Centre is currently open three days a week. We currently have 9,693 active donors, but we need more. During this coming year, we would like to encourage another 500 people to commit and sign up to give blood in this area. You must leave a minimum of 12 weeks between each blood donation this means that each person can give up to three times per year. We need people like you to come forward and help support Scotland's patients. Hospitals use 37% of the blood we supply to treat patients with cancer and blood diseases, 27% is used in surgical procedures, 2% is used to treat, mothers, babies and young children and 10% is used to treat critically ill patients. Blood has a shelf life of 35 days, and only seven days for platelet products so must be constantly replenished. We aim to retain a healthy six day stock of the eight major blood groups at any time. Help us show patients in Scotland that they are not fighting alone. To register as a blood donor or to find out where your nearest donation session is visit or call 0345 90 90 999. You can also contact us by emailing
