MSP Backs Initiative to Encourage Blood Donation from Sports Players

Local MSP Stewart Stevenson has praised an initiative to encourage more blood donations from Scotland’s sports participants.

The MSP was speaking after attending an event held in Parliament recently which aims to promote sports working together to save lives and promote blood donation.

The Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS) organised a drop-in at the Scottish Parliament for MSPs to meet with SABS, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS), the St Andrew's Sporting Club, the Scottish Professional Football League (SPFL), the Edinburgh City Football Club and the Scottish Ambulance Service.

Primarily, the meeting showcased the launch of a co-ordinated action in Scotland to promote the work of blood donation and the recruitment of blood donors from all parts of Scottish society and was the platform for this group to seek to obtain the support of MSPs for the work of bringing this message to Scotland's sporting industries.

The drop-in brought together MSPs with these organisations who share a commitment to working jointly to bring the importance of blood donation to the forefront of discussions with young adults in sport. British bantamweight boxing champion Kash Farooq, Ambassador for SABS' Blood Donation Campaign, was also in attendance.

Stewart with Kash Farooq, British Bantamweight Boxing Champion
who is an Ambassador for the SABS Blood Donation Campaign

Commenting, Stewart Stevenson said:

“This sports-focused and collaborative approach has the potential to encourage thousands of young people to give blood. The NHS is wanting to encourage young adults over the age of 17 to give blood to save a life. Around half of current blood donors are from people aged 45 and over, so bringing this to the attention of the younger generation is vitally important.

“I commend SABS and their partners for this very worthwhile initiative.”