Inverness ambulance dispatcher sees importance of giving blood to save lives
A member of the ambulance service says the things he deals with on a day to day basis made it impossible for him not to give blood.
Lewis Kinnaird (30) has been a regular blood donor for the past two years and now donates plasma - one of the main components of blood which can be used in treatments for those with compromised immune systems.
Working as a dispatcher with the Scottish Ambulance Service in Inverness, Mr Kinnaird believes in doing what he can to help, wherever that is possible.
“There have been situations in my family, family members who have needed blood, that brings it home to you how important it is,” he said.
“But also in terms of my job on a day to day basis I am dealing with situations where there has been an accident or someone is poorly and you know always that where there is going to have been to some kind of operation blood is going to be so important in helping that person.
“How can you not give help if you are able?”
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On switching from general blood donation to giving plasma Mr Kinnaird, who is originally from Grantown-on-Spey, said it was just another way of helping.
“It’s only quite recently that people have been able to give plasma and when I was in givIng blood one time they were talking to me about how much it was needed and I thought ‘why not?’.” he said.
“It’s a slightly different process for giving plasma, technically I suppose, but for the donor it’s much the same - you lie there as it’s all done and at the end you get a drink and a biscuit, it’s just as easy really.
“To anyone who is thinking of giving blood I would say just go for it. It’s quick and easy. If you’re a regular donor it’s a little over an hour out of your life about every three months - and you can save lives doing it.
With a limit on the shelf life of donated blood, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service looks to maintain a stock of six days worth of blood across all blood types to meet expected demand.
At the time of writing there were only five days worth of blood types B- and O+.
“Blood is always in demand,” Mr Kinnaird said. “Whatever you can give will help.”
Highland News and Media wants to bring 5000 people from across the Highlands and Moray in to give blood between now and Easter.
Appointments are available weekly at Inverness Donor Centre within Raigmore Hospital with upcoming community donation sessions also set to be held at: Invergordon Leisure Centre (February 18, 3-4.30pm and 6-7.30pm): the Lochbroom Leisure Centre, Ullapool (February 19, 2.30-4pm and 5.30-7pm); Glen Urquhart High School in Drumnadrochit (February 24, 5.30-8pm) and Nairn Community and Arts Centre (February 25, 1-3.30pm and 5-7.30pm).
Book an appointment to give blood at www.scotblood.co.uk, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).
