Give Blood, Save Lives: NHS nurse from Ullapool tells why she donates
A nurse has spoken of her drive to give blood, driven both by personal and professional experience.
Eilidh Bellshaw (32) lives in Inverness but is originally from Ullapool.
She has been a nurse for 10 years and currently works in ward 4C at Raigmore Hospital, a general surgery ward where she provides pre and post-operative care.
She said: “I used to give blood when I was younger then stopped when I had my kids before looking to start again.
“My nephew took really unwell in 2021 and ended up in hospital in Glasgow for 10 weeks with E. coli that developed into kidney failure and he needed blood basically to keep him going, so obviously with something like that you think ‘I have to do what I can to give back’.
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“My mum also donates for the same reason.
“Becoming a blood donor was my way of doing that, and also through my work of course I’m very aware of when blood stocks are low and the impact that has on patients and also how we are able to operate.
“It seems like such a small thing that I can do that can really make a big difference.”
To anyone thinking of giving blood but perhaps feeling unsure of what it involves she added: “It’s very straightforward and you are in good hands.
“The staff are very reassuring and at the end of the day your donation could help save a life.
“So I would say if you are feeling nervous that’s understandable, but just think about the good you are doing and go for it.”
See here to find out more about donating blood.
Share your stories of why you donate, or if you have benefiited from donation in the past, by emailing newsdesk@hnmedia.co.uk
