The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service is urgently appealing to the country, including university students, to donate blood as the country faces a national shortage. Donating blood can take up just one hour of your life, and each donation can help save as many as three lives.

Scotland’s blood supply is under pressure. Just 4% of Scotland’s population who are eligible to donate blood are currently doing so. With the start of the new academic term and seasonal illnesses returning, it means that even less people are coming forward to donate blood, adding strain to an already short supply of donors.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), who are responsible for ensuring blood is available across the country when it is needed, stated the country has faced a “significant drop” in blood supply. In order to maintain a blood supply that can facilitate the needs of the country, 450 donors are needed every day in Scotland. At present, five out of the eight major blood type supplies have less than six days of stock: below the desired level required to support Scotland efficiently.

SNBTS has five donations centre across Scotland: Glasgow, Edinburgh, Aberdeen, Dundee, and Inverness. Appointments can be made at any of these centres and may last around an hour, however giving blood itself only lasts for approximately five to 15 minutes.

One in four people will need a blood donation during their lifetime. Blood donations can be used for a number of life-saving treatments such as stabilising people during emergency trauma care and supporting those undergoing cancer treatment. Just three teaspoons of blood can ensure a premature baby survives their first weeks of life.

Blood donations are typically divided into three separate components: plasma, red blood cells, and platelets. Each component is required for different lines of treatment.  This means that one singular donation can be used to treat multiple people and ensure they receive treatment tailored to their needs.

Plasma is the liquid portion of blood in which red blood cells and platelets are suspended. Plasma itself is made up of numerous proteins, hormones, nutrients and other various compounds that allow it to be used for multiple treatments. It contains a specific protein called Albumin; a protein that can be used to help treat severe burns, liver disease, kidney failure and sepsis. Plasma is also used to develop immunoglobulin therapy, a treatment used to help those with weak immune systems fight infection.

Red blood cells carry oxygen around the body, and they can be used to treat people with conditions such as anaemia, or those with blood loss as a result of surgery or childbirth. 

Platelets are the smallest component of blood, and they are essential for clotting. They help save the lives of those undergoing cancer treatment, many of whom have a low platelet count as a result of the treatment.

Whole blood transfusions are also used, where instead of being divided, the blood is used unseparated. This provides all blood components to a person simultaneously and is often used to treat major haemorrhages during trauma or emergency surgeries.

However, blood has a very short shelf life of just 35 days, decreasing to just five days for platelets once separated. This means that the demand for fresh blood and frequent donors is crucial. SNBTS has appealed for more young donors, particularly those between the ages of 17 and 24, in order to counterbalance the current aging donor average.

The Andersonian Chemical Society (ACS) here at the University of Strathclyde recently hosted a weeklong blood drive, encouraging students and staff alike to come forward and donate blood.

The society gathered donors from Strath and donated together between June 22 and June 26, 2026 at the Glasgow Donor Centre on Mandela Place. The drive resulted in 29 successful donations, resulting in a potential 87 lives saved!

Mia Dunn, current society president, was incredibly pleased with the turnout, and gave a partial donation herself during the drive.

“It ended up that the nurses were so kind and reassuring, my body relaxed a little too much, so my blood flow wasn’t strong enough to complete the full donation…but a partial donation is better than none and I know when I return to give blood again exactly what to expect”.

Others present at the drive also vowed to return and donate again after the 12-16 week wait period, including another member of the society, who happened to be a first-time donor:

“It was slightly daunting but now that I’ve done it, I would go back again.”

Dunn is keen to spread awareness about the importance of blood donation, and is hoping that more societies here at Strathclyde are inspired by their actions.