Team 98: Rory

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.

Rory lives in Glasgow with his partner and works as a Bid Coordinator for an architecture practice. ‘It often gets blank looks,’ he laughs. He began donating after watching his dad do it while growing up in Edinburgh. ‘I remember him getting a badge for a milestone of pints donated.’

His first attempt nearly ended things. ‘I almost fainted the first time, so it wasn’t a great start.’ But he returned and has donated regularly since. Now, his workplace is steps from the Glasgow donor centre. ‘It’s so easy to drop in it’s almost cheating.’

Rory keeps donation practical. ‘It’s literally a lifesaver and it’s so easy to do. I reckon most people will have someone in their life, whether they know it or not, who has been helped by donated blood.’ He encourages hesitant donors with honesty. ‘If I can do it, you can too.’

His parents recall the timing of his birth clearly. ‘I arrived just in time for the Scotland v Brazil match.’ Though English, they recall it fondly, ‘More hoping the doctors weren’t too distracted than anything else.’ Football is a casual pleasure rather than an obsession for Rory but his loyalties are clear. ‘I’ll definitely be supporting Scotland – and if we don’t win it then it’ll be anyone but England – sorry Mum and Dad!’

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).