MSP issues plea for people to keep donating blood

Aberdeenshire East MSP Gillian Martin is urging blood donors to keep their regular appointments during the coronavirus outbreak if they are fit, well and have not been impacted by COVID-19.

This comes amid fears that donors are feeling unsure about safety and whether sessions are still going ahead, despite donating blood being classed as essential travel.

All donor centres across Scotland remain open for people to attend and donate their blood with sessions being updated at www.scotblood.co.uk.

Blood and transplant teams putting in place extra safety measures to protect donors as much as possible.

The north east MSP has called on donors to maintain regular blood donations as these are crucial to the care of many high-risk patients around Scotland in the coming weeks and months.

Gillian Martin MSP says that donors are needed at times of crisis such as now more than ever: "Blood donation saves lives and we need our donors more than ever over the new few weeks and months. Please keep your appointment to donate if you can, it is classed as essential travel and is vitally important.

"Women will still have babies and we need blood for the management of obstetric haemorrhage, car accidents and other trauma are inevitable and we need blood for these situations.

"Patients with bone marrow disorders such as leukaemia will need blood products to get them through chemotherapy and stem cell transplants as will all cancer patients.

"Combating the virus will take a huge national effort.

"Donation is something you can do to help the NHS. It's a reason to go outside and then do something amazing."

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