Team 98
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.
Scotland urgently needs more young people to become blood donors.
– Debbie McNaughton, Associate Director SNBTS
Despite the constant demand for blood, less than 2% of Scotland’s population actively donates. Of Scotland’s 90,923 active blood donors, just 24% are aged 17-34 (21,452). In fact, there are currently more active donors aged 65 and over (11,557) than those aged 17-24 (7,462), highlighting the urgent need for younger people to step forward.
Furthermore, across Scotland there are currently more female than male regular donors (52,912 vs 40,048). However, this imbalance is most striking among younger age groups. Fewer than 9,000 men aged 17-34 donate blood – just 10 per cent of Scotland’s active donor base.
- Star Striker Dionne: O Negative Donor, 17 Donations
- Blair: Primary Teacher, Dad-to-be and lifelong Scotland supporter
- Chris: Software Engineer, steak tradition keeper and O Negative donor
- Sammi: Hospitality worker and football mad family member
- Rory: Architecture Bid Coordinator and quiet lifesaver
- Prasanna: Chef, newly inspired donor and proud Scotland supporter
- Kyle: Island hopping adventurer
Debbie McNaughton, Associate Director of the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, says:
‘Scotland urgently needs more young people to become blood donors.
‘We know that donations can drop by more than 20 per cent during big football moments, but patients still need blood every single day. Less than two per cent of the population donates, which makes our blood supply fragile at the best of times.
‘That’s why we’re asking people to support Team Scotland. We all have it in us to change lives, so c’mon Scotland – book your first appointment today.’
Supporting patients during the World Cup
Regular donors are especially important because their blood group is already known, allowing SNBTS to respond quickly if certain blood types fall to critically low levels. Blood has a short shelf life, and Scotland needs around 450 donors every day to meet hospital demand, including blood for premature babies, people undergoing cancer treatment, and those needing emergency care.
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).