By Marjory Inglis, health reporter

TAYSIDE AND Fife people responded to news of “dangerously low” blood stocks that threatened to cancel surgical operations and turned up at an emergency blood donor session in their droves yesterday.

More than 200 people appeared at the session in the Marryat Hall, Dundee, about a quarter of them giving blood for the first time.

Debbie McNaughton, the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service’s team manager at the session, said last night, “It’s been a really good response.”

She said a lot of people had said they read about the crisis in yesterday’s Courier.

“Hopefully more people will read about it again and turn up at our session in Ninewells today,” said Debbie.

A self-confessed “big feartie” was among those who responded to the call for blood.

Murray Petrie, whose son Jon is in Australia wearing the number 7 shirt for Scotland in the Rugby World Cup, turned up at the Marryat Hall to give blood following the emergency appeal.

SNBTS has warned that non-emergency operations might have to be cancelled in the next two weeks due to blood shortages. They have collected 7500 fewer donations over the last three months than planned and are extremely concerned they will not be able to meet the demand for blood.

Murray, who is chairman of Tayside Primary Care, the organisation responsible for a variety of local health services including hospitals caring for the elderly, mentally ill and those with learning difficulties, was first “shamed” into giving blood by his wife Jen.

“My wife has been a blood donor ever since she was old enough to give blood,” said Murray. “She has got the gold and silver award, but I was scared. She shamed me into going.

“I am just a big feartie but there is nothing to be frightened of. It is quite a pleasant experience and you get a cup of tea and a biscuit afterwards.”

He recalled it must be 12 years since he started giving blood as his son Simon, now 30, was just 18 at the time.

“I made him go because his mother was pressuring me so I took him and a couple of his pals and made them give blood. There is plenty Petrie blood been given over the years!”

But as a busy business man with regular duties outside of his big commitment to the NHS, Murray knows how easy it can be to get out of the habit of regular donations.

“I have not been for a while but I am delighted to be able to participate today and support the call for more donors.”

The SNBTS appeal is concentrating on new and lapsed donors.

It is concerned that if existing regular donors res-pond to the urgent call and visit ahead of planned donations, in a few weeks’ time they will simply be shifting the problem, creating a shortage in the run-up to Christmas.

“The situation is very serious,” said Dr Moira Carter, the SNBTS’s national donor services manager. “At the moment there are not enough donors to support Scottish health care. We urgently require new donors to come forward within the next month.”

Blood matched to individual patients’ specific type is on standby in hospitals for every birth, every surgical operation and to treat those in accident and emergency departments. A road crash victim may need up to 40 units of blood, while cancer and leukaemia patients may need more than 100 units.

The SNBTS must recruit at least 120 new donors every day to continue to meet the demand.

Anyone aged from 17 to 60 in general good health can give blood. Anyone seeking more information can call 0845 90 90 999 or visit www.scotblood.co.uk

Meanwhile, emergency appeal blood donation sessions have been arranged in Tayside and Fife, where donors will be welcomed.

Today: Blood Donor Centre, Level 8, Ninewells Hospital, Dundee, 11 am–7 pm. Tomorrow: Bonar Hall, Dundee University, 11 am-4.

Sunday: Mill o’ Forest Primary, Stonehaven, 10 am-12.30 pm and 2.15-4.30; also Lochgelly Community Centre, Bank Street, 10 am-12.30 and 2-4 -pm. Monday, October 20: City Hall, Brechin, 3-8 pm. Tuesday, October 21: City Hall, Brechin, 5-8 pm; and Templehall Parish Church, Kirkcaldy, 2-4 and 5-7.30.

Wednesday, October 22: Blood Donor Centre, Level 8, Ninewells Hospital, 2-6 pm. Thursday, October 23: St Laurence Hall, Laurencekirk, 3-5 pm and 6-8.30

Tuesday, October 28: Aytoun Hall, Auchterarder 3.30-8 pm and St Laurence Hall, Laurencekirk, 3-5 and 6-8.30 pm.