A family have thanked big-hearted Scots who kept them alive by donating blood after three generations all received life saving transfusions. Little Isabella Mackay, who will celebrate her first Christmas after being given emergency blood when she was born, has become the latest to be saved by the vital treatment.
The youngster, who is just 10-months-old, has followed her gran Donna Webster, 61, and mum Lauren Webster, 35, who both also have donors to thank for saving their lives. The family wouldn’t be here without these transfusions and they are urging Scots to give “the perfect gift of life” this Christmas by donating their own blood.
Donna, from Blairgowrie in Perth and Kinross, said: “We have three happy and healthy generations in our family, all thanks to blood donors. Looking forward to Isabella’s first Christmas this year is particularly poignant.
“We’d like to remind donors that your gift keeps on giving for many years – or in our case many generations. We cannot thank you all enough. We would like to encourage everyone to consider giving blood, platelets or plasma this Christmas.”
Scotland needs 15,000 people to donate blood over the festive period. Despite there currently being nearly 100,000 blood donors in Scotland the numbers have still has not fully recovered to levels seen before the pandemic. The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is urging Scots to save lives by donating over the festive period.
Associate Director, Debbie McNaughton, said: “There are currently 96,726 blood donors in Scotland. Whilst we are very grateful to them, our donor base still has not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. It is very important we welcome more new donors.
“We’d also love to welcome younger donors – you can start giving blood age 17, but we notice up to 50 per cent fewer 17-year-olds coming forward from five years ago. As Scotland faces an ageing population, this poses a significant challenge.”
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service are this year launching an additional campaign for people to donate plasma for medicines, which can be used to treat over 50 diseases, including babies with haemolytic disease – an inherited condition which affects red blood cells.
Debbie added: “Currently, we have 800 plasma donors in Scotland and we hope to welcome another 1,000 plasma donors in the next 12 months. You can donate plasma in any of our blood donor centres in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness. As we move into thoughts of New Year resolutions, there can be no better commitment to make.”
Debbie said maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is their top priority. She added: “The need for blood does not take a rest, and we will be collecting blood on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and Hogmanay.
“We are asking people to take time out of their busy schedules on these dates. We look forward to welcoming you soon.”
To give blood, head to the Scotblood website where you can check your eligibility, sign up, and book an appointment to donate or call 0345 90 90 999.
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