Star donor rewarded for huge gift of life
proud Aberdeen grandfather has been giving blood for 40 years
Published:
AN ABERDEEN grandfather who has donated blood to the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service for the last 40 years has been rewarded for his commitment.
At the annual awards ceremony for the service which took place at the Beach Ballroom last night, Jim Sutherland, of Hilton Drive, received the award from Deputy Lord Provost John West.
Mr Sutherland, 65, said: “I started donating whole blood and platelets many years ago when I first got married. It was just something I wanted to do. I’m quite delighted to be rewarded for my efforts. None of my own family give blood, but I sincerely hope that my grandchildren will consider it.
“You never know when you or a member of your family will be the one needing blood, so it’s something I think we should all do it if we can.”
Donor services manager for the region Lynne Willdigg said: “It is an amazing achievement for Mr Sutherland to have donated 400 units of whole blood and platelets. Everyone who received an award has made a donation of 50 units or more.
“To put it into perspective it will generally take a minimum of 16 to 17 years of regular whole blood donation without any breaks, to achieve even the 50 award level. That is a real commitment to helping others.”
Dr Henry Watson, a consultant haematologist at Aberdeen Royal Infirmary and patient Neil Simpson also attended the event, to give the 155 awardees from across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire an insight into how important their donations are.
This year, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service needs 50,000 new donors to meet demand for blood, as hospitals in Scotland need 1,000 donations every day to treat patients.
For more information call 0845 90 90 999 or visit www.scotblood.co.uk
