Mother of ‘miracle’ baby thanks blood donors and urges people to donate

A mother who is looking forward to her “miracle” baby’s first Christmas has thanked the blood donors who helped her as she backed a campaign urging people to donate.

The Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) campaign comes as latest figures show the number of people actively donating has fallen to 1.7% of the population.

Nicolle Hollick’s daughter Alexandria Allyson is one of those who needed donated blood this year after she was born at 26 weeks weighing just 2.1lbs.

She received four blood transfusions and spent 102 days in hospital before being allowed home to her family who live in Dumfermline, Fife.

Her mother said: “Our beautiful little girl Alexandria Allyson decided she just couldn’t wait come into the world.

“After a few weeks of me being in hospital she was born via emergency C-section at the Queen Elizabeth in Glasgow on Wednesday 15 January 2025. She was born at only 26 weeks weighing 2.1lbs, so she was very tiny and very early.

“After 102 days in hospital, in April this year, we brought our baby home. She had been through so much in her wee life already. She was intubated at birth, needed oxygen support at home, and received four blood transfusions.

“Her dad Dan and I believe she is our total miracle and our warrior princess. We absolutely cannot wait to celebrate her first Christmas.

“She never gave up. To the blood donors who helped give her a chance at life – thank you for giving us our world.”

There are currently 93,097 active blood donors in Scotland.

SNBTS is urging people to register as a donor and book a blood donation appointment now to help build vital blood stocks during the busy winter and Christmas period.

Debbie McNaughton, associate director of donor and transport services at SNBTS, said: “Every day, Scotland needs around 450 blood donors to meet the needs of patients in hospitals across the country. However, fewer people are donating than before, and that puts pressure on Scotland’s blood supply.

“I am urging both new and returning donors to come forward to help ensure lifesaving blood is always available.

“The fact less than 2% of the population are actively giving blood is a concerning trend. In the last 10 years we have seen a drop of 24% – which is just under 30,000 donors. We are also seeing a particular challenge around younger people coming forward.

“The blood supply has been maintained by our regular donors giving more often, but we really need new donors, or those who have not given for some time, to come forward.”

SNBTS said a key reason for the decline is simply lack of awareness about the importance of blood donation.

There are eight different blood groups and the service aims to retain five to seven days supply of all eight blood groups at all times.

It said that blood has a short shelf life of 35 days, making regular donations vital to maintaining supplies.

Ms McNaughton said: “Our Donor Centres, which are based across Scotland, aim to collect almost 40% of Scotland’s blood this December.

“In recent months, these donor centres have been quiet. With convenient opening times and locations, I’m asking the people of Aberdeen, Dundee, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Inverness, to remember about giving blood.

“We’d love to welcome workplaces, groups and clubs.”

Appointments can be booked online at www.scotblood.co.uk or by calling 0345 90 90 999.