Highland football club member saw nephew’s life prolonged by blood donations
“It’s all too easy to look out your window and let the weather put you off donating.
“For me though, knowing what blood donors did for my nephew in his last few months is all the motivation I need to get myself to the donor centre.”
Strathspey Thistle FC committee member Margaret Clark, of Grantown, has been giving blood for years and this month attended at the Inverness Donor Centre to donate plasma for the first time.
Plasma is one of the main components of blood, which can be used to help boost immunity systems of those suffering a variety of conditions, including those undergoing cancer treatment.
Speaking about her nephew, the real spur for her donating, Margaret said: “Ross was diagnosed with leukaemia at 14 and tragically passed away at 15.
“Blood products gave him more time and the quality of life to allow him to achieve doing some of the things he always wanted to do.”
Her first plasma donation was her 90th donation overall.
Upcoming donor sessions:
February 11: Tain - The Duthac Centre 2-4pm and 5.30-7.30pm
February 12: Aviemore - Aveimore Primary School 5.20-8pm
February 18: Invergordon - Leisure Centre 3-4.30pm and 6-7.30pm
February 19: Ullapool - Lochbroom Leisure Centre 2.30-4pm and 5.30-7pm
February 24: Drumnadrochit - Glen Urquhart High School 5.30-8pm
February 25: Nairn - Community and Arts Centre 1-3.30pm and 5-7.30pm
Margaret continued: “Giving blood is something my mum did and something I’d always wanted to do, so as soon as I was old enough I started donating. The whole process is really easy, and the staff are so friendly.
“The end product can help someone else more than you could ever know. I was told by the team that every donation can save or improve the lives of up to three people.
“I find it quite emotionally overwhelming to think of how many people my donations could’ve helped so far.’
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“I’d say to anyone who’s never given blood before or to anyone who’s not been in a while to just not overthink it, because if you allow it to, life will always manage to get in the way.
“You don’t know what’s around the corner and if the worst happens we all depend on each others help. Giving blood is something amazing you can do to make it easier for someone else.
“It’s so good to know I can help someone else the way they helped us when we needed them most.”
Highland News and Media wants to bring 5000 people from the Highlands and Moray in to give blood between now and Easter.
Join our campaign to give blood and save lives.
Appointments are available weekly at Inverness Donor Centre within Raigmore Hospital in addition to the sessions listed above.
Book an appointment to give blood at www.scotblood.co.uk, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
