West Lothian mum backs urgent appeal for more blood donors after baby's lifesaving transfusions
A West Lothian mum whose premature baby received two lifesaving blood transfusions is urging more people to donate.
Baby Millie was born in February at just 28 weeks old at Glasgow's Queen Elizabeth University Hospital, weighing 670g, and spent ten weeks in neonatal intensive care.
She received her first blood transfusion just three days after she was born, followed by a second in March after being transferred to Forth Valley Hospital.
Mum Caitlyn Stewart, who now lives in Plean, Stirling, says just 23mls of donated blood made a lifesaving difference.
"The difference in her was crazy - she was really, really pale and quite lethargic, she wasn't really herself. And then as soon as she had her blood transfusion she was like a wee cherry tomato - that's how the nurses kept describing her. She was bright red and then she was just full of energy again, back to being herself.
"It really did save Millie"
"Me and my partner have said right from the beginning we're just so grateful to everybody that gave us blood because it really did save Millie.
"We were in the hospital for 72 days and then she came home on oxygen. She was on oxygen for about a month and she is thriving now.
"All her organs are doing really well and that is down to the fact that she did have these transfusions so quickly. It's meant that her body's been able to grow the way it needs to grow and we're just super grateful.
"We had some really hard conversations before she came about her not making it through pregnancy"
"There was a bit of uncertainty before she came if she was actually going to be able to make it, so we had a lot really, really hard conversations prior to her coming about her not going to make it through the pregnancy.
"So when she did come and then she was okay, we couldn't believe it and we were just beyond grateful that the hospital staff had got her here safely and that we had this neonatal unit.
"The week before she came we were talking about baby funerals and at one point we were even being encouraged to have a medical termination and everything.
"They always said in the hospital she was like 'Mighty Millie' because she was so small but nothing ever stopped her."
NHS Scotland urging more people to give blood regularly
NHS Scotland is now urging more people to donate regularly, with blood stocks under pressure.
The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) says it needs around 450 donors every day to meet demand from hospitals.
Blood has a shelf life of just 35 days, meaning supplies must be continually replenished.
Fewer than 2 per cent of Scots regularly give blood, while four of the country’s eight blood groups — O Positive, O Negative, A Positive and B Negative — are currently below desired levels.
SNBTS says autumn is traditionally a challenging period, with seasonal illnesses, the return to school and university and darker evenings all contributing to fewer donations.
Debbie McNaughton, Associate Director Donor & Transport Services, SNBTS says: “With only 2% of the population in Scotland regularly giving blood, we have a shortage of donors. This means the blood supply has been under pressure for several months.
“We work to ensure that blood, tissues and cells are available across Scotland 24 hours a day, every day of the year."
Aiming for 450 donors a day
Debbie continues: “In order to meet demand for blood products in NHS Scotland, we aim to welcome 450 donors every day. However, a spike in demand for one or more blood groups, combined with fewer donors coming forward, means we have been in a declining stock position for several months. This means it is important donors come forward now, and in the coming weeks.
“In order to boost blood stocks, we have been contacting donors directly, advertising across Scotland, and reaching out to donors who have not donated so far in 2026, reminding them how important they are. Blood has a shelf-life of only 35 days, so supplies must be constantly replenished.
“It is very important new donors come forward now. For several years we have seen our donor base aging in Scotland, and this gives us cause for concern. You can start giving blood aged 17, so we wish to remind young adults in Scotland that giving blood only takes one hour of your time.
“Blood donation is one of the simplest ways people can make a real difference. We need more people to take that first step and become donors.
"If you're feeling healthy and well, there's a good chance you're eligible to donate blood. A strong and resilient blood system depends on more people coming forward, not just when the need is heightened, but as a regular part of their routine.”