24 January 2018

First Minister Nicola Sturgeon visited Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre to thank staff and donors for their efforts during the busy festive season

She met member of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society (SABS), and heard about their work with the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to encourage blood donation among the Muslim community.

FM @NicolaSturgeon met members of the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society at Edinburgh @givebloodscot Centre to hear about their work to encourage blood donation in the Muslim community. pic.twitter.com/sFQQ12CmNR

— First Minister (@ScotGovFM) January 23, 2018

SABS has worked closely with SNBTS since 2013, when the former launched the first Imam Hussain Blood Donation campaign in Scotland. The aim of the campaign is to raise awareness of the need for blood donors during the holy month of Muharram – the Islamic New Year. More than 1,500 donations have been given as a result of the campaign.

Watch – First Minister @ScotGovFM @NicolaSturgeon MSP visits #Edinburgh donor centre to thank donors and staff for their efforts during the busy festive period.
To view this video with subtitles: https://t.co/izKzlmOAE0#GiveBlood pic.twitter.com/wZjTr9w54Z

— SNBTS (@givebloodscot) January 24, 2018

The First Minister said:

“I am delighted to support the Imam Hussain Blood Drive Campaign. It is important for everyone to consider giving blood if they can, because it’s quick, safe, easy and can literally save lives. I was pleased to be able to visit the Edinburgh Blood Donor Centre today to thank donors and staff, and to learn more about the valuable role the Scottish Ahlul Bayt Society plays in this campaign, by working to encourage the Muslim community across Edinburgh and the Lothians to give blood.”

Image courtesy of Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service