A STUDENT at Glasgow University says her “most special Christmas” this year is all down to blood donors.

Jemma McSheffery, 23, has joined the Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service in calling for Glaswegians to donate blood in the lead-up to the festive season.

Her plea comes after having to rely on donated blood following her diagnosis with neuropathy, which slowly paralysed her over a period of months.

Three months later she was discharged to go home for Christmas.

Jemma was rushed to hospital in September 2017, and having a plasma exchange using donated blood was the turning point in her treatment.

“It was when I got a plasma exchange that it started to plateau, and then I could get intensive physio,” she said.

“I made a recovery, which I think is not what the doctors anticipated.”

She was finally discharged just before Christmas, which she describes as the “best surprise”.

“The whole house had to be completely changed,” she said. “We had to get ramps up to the bathroom and my bed had to be raised.

“My dad organised a mobility scooter so I could go for a walk on Christmas Day.”

But one year on, thanks to her plasma exchange, she is looking forward to “the most special Christmas” ever.

“I’m really looking forward to it, and it also makes you appreciate Christmas for what it’s supposed to be about, which is being home with your family and having health and happiness,” she said.

Jemma urged people in Glasgow to donate blood to add to the stock for the festive season.

She said: “I always was a bit apprehensive to give blood because I thought it would be sore or uncomfortable.

“It’s not, and the staff are so kind and make you feel comfortable. They give you free Irn-Bru and cupcakes at the end.

“Taking an hour out of your life could give someone years and years back that they never thought they would be able to have.”

Christmas Day is on a Tuesday this year, which is typically also the busiest day of the week for blood donation.

The Transfusion Service is calling for donors to build up a stock for the festive season.

Lynne Willdigg, Associate Director of Donor Services, said: “There are eight different blood groups, and we aim to maintain a five to seven day supply at all times of each one.

“To keep supplies at safe levels overall in Scotland, we need 470 donors each day and all blood groups are needed to support patients, just some more than others depending on demand.

“We publish this information on our website and hope this will help donors realise how important their blood group and blood donation actually is.”

To register as a blood donor or to find out where your nearest donation session is, call 0845 90 90 999, or visit www.scotblood.co.uk.