Elgin dad ‘like night and day’ after blood transfusions
It wasn’t until his dad contracted leukemia that Neil Urquhart began donating blood regularly.
Ian Urquhart sadly passed away in March last year. However, the several blood transfusions he received beforehand helped to prolong his life. That extra time meant a lot to the family.
Neil said: “To see my dad before and after the transfusions was like night and day. It was as though he’d received a complete battery recharge.”
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Since his father’s passing Neil has continued to donate blood whenever the NHS Grampian team visits the Elgin area.
The 49-year-old said: “Some people have the idea that it’s painful and there’s blood everywhere. However it’s really, really not like that all.
“It’s a scratch on your arm, followed by a cup of tea, a biscuit and a lie-down for 20 or 30 minutes.
“It’s such a simple, painless process, but by giving blood you could probably save someone’s life.
“I’d urge anybody who’s able to begin donating.”
To donate blood for the first time, you have to aged between 17 and 65, and be generally fit and well.
In addition, you have to weigh between 7 stone 12 lbs (50kg) and 25 stone (158kg).
To find out more about giving blood either go online to scotblood.co.uk or call 0345 90 90 999.
