11-year-old cancer survivor joins drive for blood donors

AN 11-year-old who was left bedridden for six months after discovering she had a rare form of cancer is encouraging people to give blood.

Iona Mills, who attends Stewart's Melville School, kicked off the campaign with the help of radio DJ Grant Stott and It's Good 2 Give! founder Lynne McNicoll, who both gave blood at Lauriston Place Donor Centre.

The youngster, who found out she had acute myeloid leukemia last June, said she owed her life to the 30 pints of blood that helped to rebuild her blood cells after gruelling chemotherapy sessions.

Only a handful of children across Scotland experience the rare form of cancer each year, and it requires several courses of chemotherapy - and donations of blood - to help those affected to recover.

Today, Iona, who is from Trinity but lived in the Sick Kids' Hospital for half a year, said she wanted "all the mums and dads" in Edinburgh to help build up the blood supplies in the Capital's hospitals so that other people could get well too.

She said: "After I had chemotherapy, I was always tired and I would need blood to build up my body. Now that I am better I'd like to see people donate. I am too young now, but all the adults in Edinburgh could help out.

"I realised I was ill because I had a really sore throat. Then I noticed bruises on my shoulders and we got some tests. I had to move into the Sick Kids straight away and stay there for months, but luckily I was allowed to go home on Christmas Eve and I've been OK since."

Iona's mum, Joanna, 44, who lived with her in the hospital for the entire time her daughter was sick, added: "People feel really helpless when they're faced with situations like Iona's, but giving blood is something easy they can do to help."

Mr Stott said he had been offered some advice from his listeners on what to do after offering up a pint. He said: "Some of them told me to have a wee sugar boost and a banana afterwards, while others were saying that I should get tucked into a bottle of Irn-Bru. When I was little I used to be attracted to donating blood because you got a biscuit afterwards, but I've seen the bigger picture now."

A Facebook message from Iona inspired fundraiser Lynne McNicoll to add the campaign to the events she is supporting in her September Challenge to raise 150,000 in a month.

Anybody aged 17-65 can give blood, as long as they weigh more than 50kg and their iron levels are high enough.