A Lanarkshire teenager, who has ambitions to study medicine, has successfully completed a pioneering programme aimed at improving the understanding and awareness of blood donation among young people.
Mairi McLeod, 17, was among 15 students from The Glasgow Academy who participated in the trailblazing initiative organised by charity, Give Blood 4 Good.
And now she hopes Lanarkshire schools will be among those to roll out the programme in future academic years.
By removing the fear of the unknown that can sometimes surround blood donation, while creating a culture that empowers blood donors to donate regularly, Give Blood 4 Good hopes that blood donation will become a part of people’s lives from a young age.
The Give Blood 4 Good Young Ambassador Programme used e-learning resources to teach Mairi and fellow students a range of blood donation topics, from learning about which blood types are compatible, to the many reasons why someone might need a blood transfusion.
Mairi and the other Young Ambassadors then went on to develop their own resources that allowed them to share information about blood donation with their peers.
“It was a chance to get involved in a charity that is making a real difference to people’s lives,” S5 student Mairi, of Cumbernauld, told Lanarkshire Live.
“I really tried to take part as much as I could, and gave a Powerpoint presentation at assembly to show that blood donation and having a needle stuck in your arm is not quite as terrifying as people might think it is.”
Although height and weight restrictions mean Mairi isn’t currently eligible to give blood, she has set up an account to ensure she can donate in the future.
Since taking part in the programme, a number of her friends have made their first donation at the age of 17.
Not only did she promote blood donation among fellow students, Mairi took the message beyond the school community by sharing it with members of her family who, in turn, spread the word among their friends and colleagues.
“I think that engaging young people in blood donation can be a challenge because it’s not something they hear about much until they are eligible,” continued Mairi, who said the charity’s interactive approach with students struck a chord.
“We were given examples of mothers who needed transfusions after losing a lot of blood while giving birth, and we also learned about the need for different types of blood and how blood has a short shelf life.”
Megan Petursdottir, education officer at Give Blood 4 Good, said Mairi – who hopes to go on to study medicine at the Universities of Glasgow or Aberdeen – performed “exceptionally well” in the Young Ambassadors programme.
“Give Blood 4 Good is on a mission to get as many people to give blood as possible,” said Megan, who is keen to hear from Lanarkshire schools that are interested in becoming involved.
“We know that engaging younger people can be a challenge, but by aiming to dispel myths or concerns around blood donation, and engaging young people themselves in telling that story, we hope to increase awareness of the vital role that donating blood can play in saving lives.
“Seeing the Young Ambassadors use their creativity and enthusiasm to share the message with their peers, as well as and how passionate they became about blood donation – and talking to others about it – was incredibly inspiring, and demonstrates the positive impact that campaigns like the Give Blood 4 Good Young Ambassador Programme can have.”
Last year saw blood donations in Scotland fall to their lowest levels this century, dropping by more than 13,000 according to figures from NHS Scotland.
Give Blood 4 Good believes that empowering young people to understand the impact they can have on the lives of others is crucial to engaging this age group in blood donation.
Since the charity was set up in October 2019 in memory of passionate blood donor, Patrick Smith, Give Blood 4 Good estimates that its work has impacted more than 4,500 lives.
Give Blood 4 Good was founded by Patrick’s sister, Hanna Smith, and Martha Greenbank. The campaign began when Patrick lost his life in an accident at the age of 21.
Patrick was extremely passionate about donating blood – so much so that he donated on the first day he was able, on his 17th birthday, and regularly encouraged his friends and family to follow in his footsteps.
Give Blood 4 Good aims to create a legacy for Patrick by continuing his passion for and commitment to blood donation.
After organising the first blood drive, in which over 150 people donated blood in Patrick’s memory over the space of one week, it was highlighted that 60 per cent of those who took part had never donated before.
It became clear that education surrounding blood donation needs improving, so Give Blood 4 Good was formed with that mission.
The pilot of the programme at The Glasgow Academy was led by teacher Paul Bisland, a trustee at Give Blood 4 Good.
Paul said: “Running this programme at The Glasgow Academy has been a great experience for not only the students on the programme, but also for their peers as well as our staff.
“As part of the activities students completed to raise awareness surrounding blood donation, we hosted a ‘blood week’ at the school, where our students delivered personal, social, health and economic lessons and assembly presentations to their fellow students, and some who had turned 17 even donated blood for the first time.
“The atmosphere around the school during Blood Week was brilliant, and I’m so pleased that so many students and staff were engaged with the programme and learned more about blood donation.”
Only four per cent of those who are eligible to donate blood in Scotland actually come forward and do so.
Because there are many reasons why some people cannot donate, that makes it even more important to give blood if and when you can.
Adults and children who have anaemia, cancer and blood disorders are dependent on regular blood donations – and most cannot survive without them.
Every minute, four units of blood are issued to UK hospitals where they are also given to people who require major and emergency surgeries, including blood loss after child birth.
To meet this demand, 5000 people need to give blood every day – and nearly 400 new donors are required to donate for the first time on a daily basis.
As soon as you turn 17, you are of an eligible age to donate. Yet, over half of regular blood donors are over the age of 45, which is why charity Give Blood 4 Good is on a mission to engage more young and diverse donors.
You can give blood if you are: fit and healthy; weigh between 7st 12 lbs and 25st (50kg and 158kg); aged between 17 and 66; over 70 and have given a full blood donation in the last two years.
If you are under 5’ 4” you will need to weigh more than 110 pounds to safely donate.
There are eight major blood types, and Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service aims to have six days’ supply of each at all times.
After blood donations are tested for infections, they are separated into three components – red blood cells, plasma and platelets – and one blood donation can save or improve the lives of up to three people.
This means that the exact products can be given to those who need them, while ensuring that none of the donated blood goes to waste.
Women aged 17-34 are almost twice as likely to donate than men the same age.
Because men tend to have more iron and a higher platelet, they can give blood every 12 weeks, while women can donate every 16 weeks.
Only men’s blood can be used for blood transfusions in new born babies, highlighting the pressing need for more men to donate regularly.
If you’ve had a COVID-19 vaccine or booster as part of the UK vaccination programme, you can book in to give blood 48 hours after your jab.
Scotland’s patients need you. To book an appointment, make an enquiry, or sign up as a blood donor, call: 0345 90 90 999.
Lanarkshire schools who wish to take part in a future Give Blood 4 Good Young Ambassadors programme should email education officer Megan Petursdottir: mpetursdottir@giveblood4good.org
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