Team 98: Dionne
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.
Dionne Barrie, 27, lives in Cumnock and works as a primary teacher. An O negative donor, she has already donated blood 17 times – a remarkable achievement at 28.
Try it once. It only takes 15 minutes and it genuinely makes a difference
– Dionne
‘The first time I gave blood I’d just turned 17,’ she says. ‘As soon as I was old enough, I knew I wanted to donate.’ Her dad joined her from the start. ‘It became a wee tradition.’ She donates mainly at Cumnock Town Hall, where familiarity matters. ‘It feels like a little community.’
Being O negative means her blood can help anyone. ‘I’m proud of it – it means even more people can use my blood.’ Dionne fits donation into her life deliberately. ‘Honestly, I treat it like any other appointment – like getting my hair done. When the letter arrives, my dad and I book together, and I write it in my calendar so it’s non‑negotiable.
She is passionate about encouraging younger donors. ‘A lot of my friends don’t donate. Sometimes they don’t think to sign up.’ Her message is simple. ‘Try it once. It only takes 15 minutes and it genuinely makes a difference.’
Football is part of Dionne’s identity too. ‘I’m definitely supporting Scotland! I follow Scottish football in general, so it’s exciting to support the players we’ve watched grow.’ Her birth story is inseparable from the World Cup. ‘I was a scheduled C‑section because I was two weeks late, and I was born at 9:40pm, around 74 minutes into the Scotland v France match. My Dad still brings it up!’
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).