Three generations of one family received life-saving blood transfusions

Three generations of a Scottish family have been given the ‘perfect life-saving gift’. blood transfusions.

Baby Isabella Mackay will celebrate her first Christmas thanks to an emergency blood transfusion at birth.

Isabella followed her grandmother Donna Webster, 61, and mum Lauren Webster, 35, who also received life-saving blood donations.

Donna, who lives in Blairgowrie, said: “Isabella was born in January 2024 and received emergency blood work immediately after giving birth.

“I got the blood after Lauren was born. Then 15-year-old Lauren needed blood due to sepsis.

“Now she herself has become a mother to baby Isabella.

“This means that there are three happy and healthy generations in our family, and all this thanks to blood donors. The anticipation for Isabella’s first Christmas this year is especially exciting.

“We would like to remind donors that your gift will last for many years – or in our case, many generations.

“We can’t thank you all enough. We would encourage everyone to consider donating blood, platelets or plasma this Christmas.”

Debbie McNaughton, deputy director of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), said: “There are currently 96,726 blood donors in Scotland. While we are very grateful, our donor base has still not fully recovered to pre-pandemic levels. It is important that we welcome more new donors.

“We would also like to welcome younger donors – you can start giving blood at the age of 17, but we are noticing that there are 50% fewer 17-year-olds than five years ago. As Scotland faces an aging population, this poses a significant challenge.”

Debbie added: “This year we are also pleased to be launching an additional plasma donation campaign for medicines that can be used to treat over 50 conditions, including children with haemolytic disease, an inherited condition that affects red blood cells.

“We currently have 800 plasma donors in Scotland and we hope to accept a further 1,000 plasma donors in the next 12 months. You can donate plasma at any of our blood donation centers in Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness.

“As we contemplate New Year’s resolutions, there could be no better commitment.”

Debbie added: “Maintaining a safe and regular supply of blood to hospitals is our top priority. The need for blood continues and we will be collecting blood on Christmas Eve, Boxing Day and Hogmanay.

“We ask people to take time out of their busy schedules on these dates. We look forward to welcoming you back soon.”

To check your eligibility and make an appointment, visit the website, contact [email protected] or call 0345 90 90 999.

Scotland needs 15,000 people to donate blood over the festive period. To donate blood, visit the Scotblood website where you can check your eligibility, register and book an appointment to give blood, or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday 9am to 5pm) .