Published: Friday, 5th September, 2008 12:30pm

Brilliant blood donor Dougie saves 375 lives

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Dougie Barnett is bloody brilliant at getting the needle! The one-man blood bank received an award this week for 125 blood donations over the past 43 years.

A resident of Innerleithen, Dougie, 60, began giving blood at the tender age of 17 and has continued ever since.

At a recent blood donor session in West Linton, the kindly mill worker was awarded a sterling silver pen for his record donation.

The father of three doesn"t think it a bloody nuisance to drive to Edinburgh or any part of the Borders, where the mobile donor session may be, to carry out his duty.

He said: 'I first gave blood in the Memorial Hall in Innerleithen with my father in 1965 and I"ve just continued on ever since.

'Blood donation is vital to save someone"s life and more people should do the same.

'It came as a real shock when I received the award. I had no idea.'

'I"m just doing my bit for a good cause. I also carry an organ donor card so in death I"ll keep giving.'

After donation, blood is then separated into three components namely red cells, plasma and platelets.

As a result, it is estimated that during his donor career Dougie has saved or improved the lives of over 375 patients with all manner of illnesses and diseases.

Dougie"s blood type is O - , a group found in only 8% of the population and is the only group that can be directly transfused into all other seven groupings.

Therefore in any emergency situation, if medics do not have the sufficient time to do a blood match, then it is O-, which is used.

Jennifer Wilson, Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service, spokeswoman said: 'This is a fantastic contribution and a huge commitment from Dougie. The fact that his blood group is so rare makes his donation even more special.

'We face a constant, urgent need for blood donors and would urge everyone to follow his lead and come along to their nearest session.'