Heather's Story

Heather Stewart, from Hamilton, has been a blood (then platelet) donor for over twenty years. Here she describes how she went from donor to SNBTA representative.

"Like most other people, my first encounter with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service occurred when I gave my first pint of blood. This was in 1978. It was quite a surprise how simple, painless and quick the process was. It was also quite a surprise that someone as ordinary as me (with no extraordinary blood type or the like) was made to feel so special by the staff. The staff explained everything that was going on and more importantly they were very friendly. All this made the routine of donating a pleasure.

"One time after making a donation it was suggested to me that I might like to try donating platelets. Again everything about the process was explained to me and after having my platelet count checked I became a platelets donor. The main difference from whole blood donation is that I come into the donating centre, at Nelson Mandela Place, every three weeks or so and my donation time is about 90 minutes. I know that might sound a lot, and you would probably laugh if someone said to you to take 90 minutes to yourself every three weeks, but because I donate I get this guilt-free 'relaxation' time when I usually read, or chat to the staff and other donors -- or, I am embarrassed to say, I snooze (shows you how painless the whole process is)!

"It was because I was a platelets donor that I was asked if I would become a donor representative for the West of Scotland on the SNBTA. There are seven donor representatives, a Chairman and a Secretary/Treasurer. We meet about four times a year with members of the SNBTS and are asked for our opinion, as ordinary donors, on topics such as changes to the Donor Interview Procedure and new publicity campaigns. The SNBTA are also consulted by the SNBTS on many other procedural and ethical topics, and act as a benchmark for best practice. As a donor representative I have been privileged to see the effort and commitment that goes on behind the scenes to ensure the SNBTS works as well as it does in looking after the donors and making sure the supply of blood is there when it is needed.

"If you asked me why I have been a donor for 26 years I would tell you that it is 'because I can'. There is nothing extraordinary about my blood; there is nothing extraordinary about my life that makes it easier for me to donate than anyone else. I just turn up, enjoy the rest, the company and the tea and biscuits -- and, more importantly, so can you."