As a blood donor Neil Jack has helped up to 150 people thanks to 50 donations that were each able to be split into three parts to be used where most needed.
Now a plasma donor the air cadet commanding officer’s life-saving mission continues with a focus on helping those suffering immune deficiency, something that sits very close to home for the 52-year-old.
“My wife Lorraine has a rare autoimmune disease and plasma, as one of the components of blood, can be used to produce medicines that boost the immune system so, of course, once I heard that I was very interested in being able to be involved,” he said.
Mr Jack’s life, in many ways, has been one of constant giving where he can.
Born in Beverley, in Yorkshire, his family made the move north when he was still very young after his dad was deployed to the former RAF station at Alness.
Neil later joined the RAF himself, where he served as a firefighter.
Highland donors sought by Scottish National Blood Transfusion Service (SNBTS) to give life-saving plasma donations
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Later working with Historic Scotland as a storeman and driver he also served nine years as a special constable and is currently commanding officer with the Air Training Corps Squadron 161 (1st Highland).
“I gave my first blood donation when I was 17 or 18 years old and for me it was just a normal part of family life – my parents were donors and I went along with them,” he said.
“It was really about doing your part for the community I think, giving what you can.
“And then once you start it just becomes something you want to keep on doing because you know the difference it makes.
“As a special constable I saw some things in terms of road accidents and the like that you would never want anyone to see, but it really brought home the idea of people in need and the fact that you could, in some way, help them.”
In terms of people thinking of donating he said: “You just have to go for it – don’t be scared!
“The staff who deal with the donations are lovely and make it all very easy, they talk you through everything and before you know it it’s done and your donation has potentially helped up to three people.
To register as a blood donor or find out more about giving Plasma, visit www.scotblood.co.uk or call the team on 0345 90 90 999 (Mon-Fri, 9am-5pm).