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Blood Donor Awards

Important achievement  – as you can see below I attended the Blood Donor awards last week.

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Following a copy of the post I made on Facebook which I wanted to preserve here.  I would encourage any readers of this post to get involved if fit and able.

“Don’t usually do long posts but I wanted to make an important point this morning.

Went to the Blood Donors Award Ceremony in Aberdeen last evening. This was for me an evening of mixed emotions. Firstly, I would not want to draw attention to myself for doing this which for me is really easy because I am fit and well. However I am aware that being involved in this process can actually affect, indeed improve other peoples quality of life – in some cases a Blood or Platelet transfusion can actually save a life.

So for this reason I want to give a big shout out to all the people who were recognised yesterday evening for their ongoing faithfulness in attending donation sessions.
I started giving whole blood when I was at University in 1976 – so that is 40 years ago this year.

I have not given each an every year in this period but I decided to donate again regularly again when I witnessed my dad suffering and die from cancer. I was very impressed how a blood transfusion increased his well being even in the last weeks of his life. Of course I realise that this is only one of so many uses for donated blood products.

I am now donating Platelets which I do approximately 3 weekly. I was recently asked to come in to give a urgent donation because the patient I was paired with at the time needed to undergo a procedure. Of course I don’t know who I am paired with but it motivated me to keep going with this because I know it makes a very positive impact on other people’s lives.

Blood and Platelets are life saving products which are given freely at this time when we hear so much about the scale of funding given to the NHS. Without these free donations – many life changing treatments would simply not take place.

So in closing – if you are fit and able then I would encourage you to consider taking the first step of making a life saving donation. To give blood only takes 3 – 4 hours a year and you will get a free coffee and chocolate biscuit for your efforts.”

Aurora Photos – 6/3/2016

Just wanted to share some photos which I took during and amazing Aurora show – photos all taken in the Kemnay/Blairdaff area between about 8.30 – 10.30 pm.  Fantastic to see pillars and also some greens plus reds at times.  This was an amazing night which which was featured on the national news  and weather forecast the following morning.  Enjoy!!!

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The next three all take at the same angle but the middle one is way over exposed.  I much prefer the more natural effect which is much closer to reality.DSC_1991 DSC_1990 DSC_2030