How we help donors

Arm in arm with donors,
from the very beginning

Our purpose

Since our founder Jack Copland first spotted a gap with no blood transfusion service back in 1930, the ESESBTA has been there to support and reward donors of blood and other blood products, using generous donations from the public.

How we help

Using these donations, legacies and contributions, also known as the Donor Comfort Fund, we find ways to bring support and joy to donation spaces. This includes installing Christmas trees and TVs. We also make sure donors feel valued through supporting donor award ceremonies. We also fund small improvement projects and technologies that aim to make blood donation as comfortable and rewarding as possible for donors.

Latest projects and support we’ve funded

15th November 2024

Tissue Donor Memorial

A beautiful and moving memorial was held in the City Chambers in Edinburgh to honour and remember the selfless gift of tissue donation by donors and their families. All attendees had the opportunity to leave a message, name or prayer on a pebble as a touching symbol of a lasting memory. These memorial pebbles will be placed in the Jack Copland Centre next to Harvey the Angel. The Tissue Cells and Advanced Therapeutics (TCAT) team were honoured to be supported in making this event possible and we hope to help host and fund this event every two years to keep the memory of tissue donations alive.

Summer 2023

Vein Finder Glasses

We’re always looking for ways to make the blood donation experience as smooth and rewarding as possible for every donor. That is why we funded a small trial testing Vein Finder Glasses to see if we could use new technology to improve the donor experience.

What should we do next?

We’re looking to you to tell us where you think our support and funding would be most useful.