Published: Thursday, 19th November, 2009 7:25am

West Fifers urged to give blood for Sammi

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WEST FIFERS are being urged to add their support to a blood drive on behalf of plucky youngster Samantha Bradley (pictured), who is undergoing treatment for leukaemia.

Nine-year-old Samantha, known as Sammi, has been undergoing treatment at Edinburgh's Sick Kids Hospital since her diagnosis in August this year.

Sammi and her family want to raise awareness of the volume of blood needed by the hospital each day and also the work of Leukaemia Research, the leading charity working to improve treatments and cures for leukaemia, lymphoma and myeloma.

Now big-hearted staff at the Dunfermline Building Society, where Sammi's mum, Susie, has worked for over seven years, have rallied round to do what they can to help.

A mobile blood donation clinic will be at the Dunfermline Building Society's office, Caledonia House, on Thursday 10th December.

Speaking about the event, Susie said, "What we really want to do is highlight the great work that the Edinburgh Sick Kids Hospital does and also the huge amount of help they need to carry on this great work.

"Every day Scotland needs 1000 blood donors to support patient care in order to save the lives of children like Sammi and it is vital that donations continue throughout the year.

"Sammi was taken ill on holiday in Blackpool just two weeks after her ninth birthday.

"It was very sudden and although she remains a bright and beautiful child the chemotherapy is certainly hard work for her.

"Anyone can suffer an illness like this and at any age, with no warning, and we shouldn't wait until the worst happens before we decide to help."

In addition to the blood donation event, colleagues at the building society have also started fund-raising for Leukaemia Research, gathering support from local businesses and holding several prize raffles.

More details of prizes and how to get a ticket will be released shortly.

Organiser Fiona Campbell, Dunfermline Direct advisor at the building society, said support for Sammi, who lives in Cowdenbeath, had been "amazing".

"We are really grateful for all the donations from local businesses for the raffle at our local branches," she said.

"The work that Leukaemia Research undertakes is vital to the understanding and possible cure of leukaemia and other blood cancers and we are proud to add our backing to their cause."

A blood donor session will take place in two sessions on 10th December, the first between 10am and 12.30pm and the second between 2-4pm.

It is hoped that between 80 and 100 donations will be received in that time.

Anyone wishing to donate on the day must pre-register at either the East Port or Pitreavie branches of the Dunfermline.

Vincent Mooney, donor services manager at the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, said, "We would like to thank the Dunfermline Building Society for their support of the Blood Transfusion Service.

"We traditionally receive excellent support from the people of Fife and look forward to welcoming donors along to this session.

"This support from the local community will go a long way to helping Sammi through her treatment.

"In order to properly manage the numbers we would like everyone to pre-register on our donor register.

"We urge everyone interested to visit the branches where a registration form will be available."

Additionally, donations to Leukaemia Research can be made by visiting any Dunfermline branch.

The mobile blood donor unit will be at the Scout Hall in Crossford on Tuesday 24th November.

Those wishing to donate blood should go along between 5pm and 8pm on the day.