Appeal for 15,000 new donors to ‘ensure stability’ of blood supply

THE Irish Blood Transfusion Service is encouraging people to give the gift of blood in 2024, as it seeks 15,000 new donors to ensure the stability of the national blood supply.

According to the service, the demand for blood is “constant” and on any given day, 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals.

According to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS), it needs 3,000 blood donations a week to keep hospitals supplied – with donated blood lasting just 35 days.

Blood for newborn babies must be less than five days old.

IBTS Director of Donor Services and Logistics, Paul McKinney said: “The demand for blood is constant and on any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals.

“We supply blood products 365 days a year and we issued blood and platelets for transfusion to hospitals over the Christmas and New Year holiday period.  

“We now need to urgently replenish these stocks, so we are urging existing and new donors please to give a priceless gift this New Year, the gift of blood.”  

He added: “The IBTS needs an additional 15,000 new donors this year and every year to ensure the National blood supply remains secure and stable.  

“We particularly need new donors and donors with D negative blood types that is A, B and O negative (the Universal blood group).

“I would ask people who have not donated before to please consider starting this year and make it your New Year’s resolution to become a blood donor.

“By doing so you will save or improve someone else’s life.

“We are also asking people of African heritage to become blood donors, which will help us to diversify our donor pool and better match blood for specific patients.”

Existing donors are encouraged to book online through the service’s appointment system and new donors are asked to register their interest.

To learn more and for clinic locations, dates and times visit the IBTS’s website HERE.