Record View says that those in need can find the donors they’re looking for because Scotland is full of big-hearted people.
Rachael Nixon with daughter Daisy
Scotland is proud to be a nation full of so many big-hearted people.
The story of Rachael Nixon, a single mum from Kirkcaldy, is a case in point.
At Christmas time in 2024, we told how she was left devastated to learn she’d been struck down by the rare cancer myelofibrosis – an aggressive and deadly bone marrow disease.
Within weeks, thousands of people who read her story had signed up to try to save Rachael’s life by offering themselves up as potential bone marrow donors.
And after a life-saving match was found, she is now battling back to health and looking forward to a new year and a bright future with her little daughter, Daisy.
This time of year is all about being generous and kind.
Rachael’s determination to raise awareness of the need for donors is hugely commendable and we hope that her bravery in speaking out will inspire so many more to sign up to the register to give a gift of life in 2026.
If you want to know more and potentially join the blood stem cell donor register, you can do so via the blood cancer charity DKMS.
We’re full of admiration for everyone who gives up their time and body to these sorts of vital services, including organ and blood donors.
We should think of them all as heroes.
This is the ultimate form of generosity – the kind that can save others.
We wish Rachael all the best and pray that others in need can find the donors they’re looking for this year.
Politicians make big promises for a living.
But John Swinney has a big one to live up to in the New Year.
The First Minister previously claimed that year-long waits for NHS treatment would be wiped out by this spring.
But that means having to clear 78,000 year-long waits by March to hit the pledge.
It’s a huge task and one that will be extremely difficult to meet.
The SNP leader is right when he says the numbers left waiting more than 12 months for treatment are coming down.
But that’s little comfort to the tens of thousands of Scots who are still stuck on a waiting list.
The political calendar in 2026 will be dominated by one event – the Holyrood election in May.
The NHS should be at the forefront of all voters’ minds.
And if the First Minister can deliver on this vow, it could hold sway the minds of thousands of voters.