Inverness heart transplant recipient encourages people to give blood: ‘It’s something that’s very close to my heart – my new one and my old one’
After a serious medical event, there will inevitably be a list of things that someone cannot do anymore for their own health.
For Duncan MacAulay, one of the most disappointing was that he could no longer donate blood.
The Scottish Fire and Rescue Service employee loved his regular visits to the blood donation bank, which had tallied into the 60s before he began having serious heart issues.
Four years of cardiac arrests and heart failure eventually led to Mr MacAulay having a heart transplant almost two years ago.
Having tried to make the most of his second chance at life by being as active as possible – even going as far as to create a Scottish transplant football team to compete in this year’s European Championships – he wishes he could return to donating on a regular basis.
While that may not be possible, though, he certainly has a better understanding of the impact each and every single person who does donate can have after receiving blood during his surgeries.
“When I was diagnosed with cardiomyopathy, one of the things I felt worst about was not being able to go along and keep being a blood donor,” he explained.
“I loved popping across to Raigmore. You got to know the people, and I did platelets for a while.
“For me, it was lovely to have a bit of time away from work to switch off and meet people, particularly when it was on the platelets.
“I would take my work laptop and I could do everything there, but at that stage I never thought I would be receiving blood.
“I really wish I could actually go and keep that up. It was as much of a social thing for me.
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
“It’s absolutely something that’s very close to my heart – my new one and my old one.
“I think I did appreciate it before, but you realise the importance of it and how many people you can help when you go through a major operation like that.
“It surprised me how much was required. As a donor you go along every three months and think you’ve done your bit, and get some tea and some lovely biscuits by the way, but you don’t quite appreciate how many people they actually do need to keep supporting.”
Transplant recipients are disqualified from donating blood, no matter how much Mr MacAulay would like to.
Instead, he would encourage others to make a habit of it – as donating blood can have a positive effect on mental health and social connections.
“Really what I would encourage people to do is make the time and get into a routine,” he added.
“Go along and see these people, they are fantastic. It almost gets to the stage where it becomes a nice way to meet other people, and I would thoroughly recommend it.
“Have a routine in your life that means you can maybe think about doing something else and get some you time to kick back from work and be able to donate, if you wish to and you are able.”
Highland News and Media wants to bring 5000 peple across the Highlands and Moray in to give blood between now and Easter. Join our campaign to give blood and save lives.
Book an appointment to give blood at www.scotblood.co.uk, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
