STIRLING'S MSP has praised locals after it was revealed the area has the highest number of stem cell donors in Mid Scotland and Fife.

A staggering 1,401 people are registered donors in the Stirling area, with 271 people signing up in the past year alone.

Those figures also rank the area as the third highest in Scotland in terms of donor numbers. 

The average age of registered donors in the area is 30 – with 40% being male.

Bruce Crawford MSP discovered the stats at a meeting with the blood cancer charity, Anthony Nolan, in the Scottish Parliament. 

Anthony Nolan help save people with blood cancer by conducting stem cell research, providing donors from their register, and supporting patients and their families throughout their transplant journey.

They are calling for more young men (aged 16-30) and more people from black and ethnic minority backgrounds to sign up to their stem cell donor register.

Bruce Crawford said: “Of course it is great news that the Stirling area is leading the way in the region on the number of stem cell donors registered – being first in Mid Scotland and Fife, and third out of the entire country.

“These incredible people give blood cancer patients a second chance in life – helping to tackle this terrible disease.

“However, we very much need more people to sign up. Doing so can save lives."

For more information about becoming a donor, or about the work of Anthony Nolan, click here.