Donor service requires mammoth effort

Published on 11/08/2012 12:00

Blood donors in the Edinburgh and Lothians area are being urged to “be like our Olympic heroes” and come forward, with blood stocks down seven per cent over the summer.

The Scottish Blood Transfusion Service is appealing to those with O+ and O- blood types. O+ is the most common blood group, while those with O- blood are universal donors, meaning their blood can be given to anyone. O- blood is essential for those receiving emergency treatment, when there is often not time to test for type.

Vincent Mooney, donor services manager for Edinburgh & SE Scotland Blood Transfusion Service, said: “Over the summer demand for O- has remained high. Only 9.5 per cent of the population is O-, so it is challenging to make sure we have enough.”