Over 30,000 lives have been saved or improved thanks to big hearted West Lothian blood donors.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is celebrating the first birthday of the Blood Donor Centre in The Centre, Livingston.
The site, which opened on Monday, August 2 2021 and is accessible to all West Lothian donors, has now welcomed more than 10,500 people.
As each donation can be split into three separate parts, (red cells, platelets, and plasma), this means the amazing people of West Lothian and beyond have saved or improved the lives of up to 31,500 patients.
This was the first time SNBTS opened a new donor centre for over 20 years and is the first of its kind outwith Scotland’s main five cities.
Vincent Mooney, Donor Services Manager for SNBTS, said: “We are delighted the Livingston Blood Donor Centre has reached such a milestone and would like to thank all of our blood donors, staff, volunteers and The Centre itself for making this possible.
“This is a state-of-the-art venue which has provided a safe and welcoming setting for both donors and staff.
“We have collected 9507 donations since this site opened, operating a seven days a week service. The Centre has been a valuable resource for us as many of our community venues have faced disruption due to the covid pandemic.”
“NHSScotland is currently very busy, so demand for certain blood groups has increased.
“The Livingston Blood Donor Centre, which is operating as a pilot until May 2023, has helped West Lothian donors to play a huge part in helping to maintain the stability of Scotland’s blood supply during this time.”
Vincent continued: “To mark our first birthday in The Centre, Livingston, we will be offering donors Give Blood t-shirts and a canvas Bag for Life as a small token of our appreciation. I’d like to extend an extra special thank you to the 884 new donors who have donated with us at The Centre, and encourage many more new donors in the surrounding communities to come forward and donate with us. It’s people like you who save lives.”
To mark the milestone, the site welcomed regular donors from over the last year.
Martin, from Livingston, said he regularly donates blood, adding: “I think the Livingston Centre is first class. It’s so easy to get to and merge into your day – new systems of online appointments etc is miles better for donors and for the staff – no hanging around for ages in queues.”
Ashley Bisland, Deputy Centre Director at The Centre, Livingston said: “The Centre is at the heart of the local community and having the Livingston Blood Donor Centre here is a great way of making it easier for our staff and visitors alike to donate blood to help those who need it most.
“Knowing that their donations have helped to save or improve the lives of up to 31,500 patients is incredibly rewarding and something of which our community should be very proud.”
Please give blood by appointment at the Livingston Blood Donor Centre. You can book your appointment by creating your online donor account at http://www.scotblood.co.uk or by
phoning 0345 90 90 999.
Opening times at The Livingston Blood Donor Centre are: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday 10am - 1pm and 2pm - 5pm, Thursday 12noon - 3pm and 4pm - 7pm, Saturday 9am -12pm and 1pm – 4pm and Sunday 10am 1pm and 2pm -5pm.
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