Scottish donors are at their lowest level in decades and the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) is looking for ways to change this. In 2008, SNBTS predicted that if blood supplies continued to be re-stocked in the same quantities there could be a crisis within two years.

The actual donation process is, on average, shorter than 15 minutes and the donor feels almost no discomfort – just a quick needle prick before a pint of blood is effortlessly collected as they lie back.

It is thought on average each donation saves two lives – with just three teaspoons of blood being enough to save the life of premature a baby.

Sadly, it’s not just Scotland that has been having problems attracting donors. Americans have been having similar problems recently although the blood centre in Austin, Texas, has recently seen a surge in donors as a result of a new advertising campaign. Rather than the serious matter of life and death approach taken by most adverts they have gone down a light-hearted route which has seen an upturn in donors. The campaign uses the tagline “Redeem yourself. Donate blood, save two lives and make up for just about anything” alongside misdeeds such as forgetting an anniversary or using the neighbour’s Wi-Fi.

For those wanting to donate, opening hours extend later during the middle of next week and ScotBlood has a handy tool on their website to help you find your nearest centre.