The IBTS is urgently seeking blood donors to support hospitals over Christmas
You never know when you might need it.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is urging Cork donors to make a special effort to give blood around the Christmas and New Year period, and into January 2025.
The call-out is especially important due to the way the holidays fall this year as 45 normally scheduled clinics will not be held over that period.
“Donating blood is a selfless act for the person who gives it but is a priceless gift to the person who receives it. For the next 3 weeks, we will need to make over 10,000 appointments to safely support the health service over Christmas and into 2025,” said Paul McKinney, Director of Donor Services and Logistics.
“The IBTS has just imported additional stocks of O negative, B negative and A negative from the UK to supplement supply in those blood groups leading into Christmas as demand for these blood groups remains consistently high. We are also arranging extra clinics on the next three Sundays (22nd, 29th December, 5th January), and additional clinics on Friday 27thDecember and 3rd January.
‘Demand is constant’
“On any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals, and the demand for blood, over Christmas and particularly during the month of January is constant. We rely on our donors and are urging them to give a priceless gift this Christmas, the gift of life,” said Mr McKinney.
If you receive a text to make an appointment you can do so either by calling 1800731137 or making an appointment via the online booking portal.
“We would ask anybody who does not currently donate blood to please consider making your New Years resolution for 2025 to become a blood donor. We are especially asking younger people and people of African Heritage to become blood donors and help save people’s lives.” added McKinney.
Clinic information can be found on giveblood.ie.
