In the lead up to Christmas, I can’t help but think of all those who are in need this time of year and how we can do little things to help them.
So in the run up the the festive season I popped down to Glasgow Blood Donor Centre in the city centre to give up a pint to fill the services stock.
The NHS aims to have at least six days worth of stock of each blood type to meet the requirement of patients.
However the service receives a drop of up to 20 per cent in donors during the festive period.
In a bid to show others how quick and simple this process can be, I headed down to the centre to do it myself.
This occasion marks my seventh donation, so I am familiar with the format. You are greeted at the door and handed a form with some simple questions to make sure you are fit and well.
After handing it in, I grabbed a drink of water to ensure I was fully hydrated and waited for my name to be called.
This took me just 30 minutes and could change someone’s life this Christmas (Image: NQ)
Staff talk you through every part of the process. (Image: NQ)
A nurse then went over my form with me, checked my iron levels with a simple finger prick and guided me over to a chair where I would sit for the next five to ten minutes.
I am not the biggest fan of needles, and confessed to my nurse that I am not the most confident but I couldn’t have been met with a more reassuring woman, who made sure I was comfortable throughout the process.
However, once the needles was in with only the feeling of a ‘small scratch’, the collection was started I was almost embarrassed by my earlier fears. It really is not that bad.
After your donation staff offer you some juice. (Image: NQ)
This took me just 30 minutes and could change someone’s life this Christmas (Image: NQ)
I sat, scrolled on my phone, chatted with my nurse, took a few minutes to chill and plan out the rest of my day. Before long, the ‘ping’ on the machine signalled I was over.
After making sure everything went smoothly, I collected my apple juices, and Tunnock’s Teacake (can’t be anything else) and headed back to the office with the reassurance I had done something good that day.
This took me just 30 minutes and could change someone’s life this Christmas (Image: NQ)
For a simple 30 minutes, my blood could change the life of those in need who require a transfusion or blood donation to keep them alive.
You can book in online at www.scotblood.co.uk or by calling 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm). You can also email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.scot.
This Christmas, sparing just half an hour could be your good deed of the season.