Team 98: Sammi

Seven blood donors – all born on 10 June 1998, the day Scotland kicked off their last World Cup campaign – are lending their voices to a national appeal for more young people to come forward and support patients across the country. Dionne, Chris, Prasanna, Sammi, Rory, Kyle and Blair, our ‘Team 98’ represent a new generation of donors helping safeguard Scotland’s blood supplies at a critical time.

Sammi lives with her girlfriend, her girlfriend’s daughter and their sausage dog, Ralph. She works at the Gailes Hotel Spa in Irvine, splitting her time between bar and reception. Making life better has always mattered to her. ‘I’ve always wanted to help people and that seemed like a perfect opportunity.’

Her first donation took place in an unusual setting. ‘The first time was in a give blood van in a Morrisons car park.’ Since then, she has given blood at the Galleon Centre and found both experiences positive. She has also signed up as a stem cell donor. ‘So one day I’ll hopefully be a match and can help someone that way too.’

Sammi is strongly motivated by the real impact. ‘Hospitals rely on donated blood every single day and it’s scary to think of someone I care about having an accident and not being able to receive blood because people aren’t donating.’ Her message to young people is powerful. ‘It could literally be your blood to save someone’s life.’

Football is inseparable from her family story. ‘My family are massive Rangers and Scotland fans.’ Her World Cup birthday is legendary at home. ‘My mum tried to refuse having the C‑section that day but the doctor wouldn’t allow it.’ She remembers her mum telling her the midwives had saltires painted on their cheeks and Flower of Scotland playing. ‘She remembers the score being 1-1 then falling asleep and waking up and we had lost! My dad left her in hospital to watch the game.’ Priorities, she jokes, were clear.

How to get involved

SNBTS is encouraging anyone aged 17 and over who is fit and well to register as a blood donor, check their eligibility and book an appointment.

• To support Scotland’s patients this summer, book an appointment online today.
• For more information, email nss.snbtsenquiry@nhs.scot or call 0345 90 90 999 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm).