World Blood Donor Day 2025

Wednesday 11th June 2025

“Blood donations mean the world” IBTS celebrates World Blood Donor Day

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is today (Wednesday) commencing it’s ‘Blood Donations Mean the World’ campaign to celebrate World Blood Donor Day 2025 (WBDD). 

WBDD is celebrated on the 14th of June every year.  This Saturday 14th June, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service will join the World Health Organisation (WHO) and other Blood Services around the globe to celebrate and thank voluntary blood donors for their life-saving blood donations and to raise awareness of the constant need for blood donors. 

“In Ireland over 70,000 amazing blood donors gave blood in the past 12 months. It is only due to their generosity that we can meet and sustain the blood supply to our hospitals,” said IBTS Director of Donor Services and Logistics, Paul McKinney.

“To further mark this year’s event, over 30 iconic buildings and landmark sites across Ireland will ‘Go Red’ on Saturday June 14th as a show of appreciation and support for our wonderful blood donors. 

“We want to thank all blood donors as they play a vital role in supporting the health and well-being of patients in our hospitals. Their generosity ensures that a constant supply of blood and platelets is readily available for the treatment of a wide range of emergency situations, diseases and conditions.  Today is also a chance to inspire the wider population, especially young adults, to become first-time donors.”

Notes to editor – Some facts about blood donation

  • 17% of IBTS blood donors are in the 18-25 age group
  • The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 donations a week to maintain the national blood supply
  • Just 8% of blood donors are O negative – this is the universal donor blood group

List of buildings going red

 

Site

Location

1

Aras Mac Dhiarmada

Dublin

2

Casino Marino

Dublin

3

Collins Barracks

Dublin

4

Dept. of Education, Marlborough St.

Dublin

5

Dublin Castle Bedford Tower

Dublin

6

Dublin Airport

Dublin

7

Dublin Castle Chapel Royal

Dublin

8

Enterprise, Trade and Employment (Kildare St.)

Dublin

9

Farmleigh (Water Tower)

Dublin

10

Four Courts

Dublin

11

Kilkenny Castle

Kilkenny

12

National Blood Centre

Dublin

13

National Concert Hall

Dublin

14

National Library

Dublin

15

National Museum

Dublin

16

Phoenix Park Roundabout

Dublin

17

Rock of Cashel

Tipperary

18

St Stephen Green – Wolfe Tone Monument

Dublin

19

Boston Scientific

Cork

20

Leinster House

Dublin

21

Mansion House

Dublin

22

The County Hall

Cork

23

Swords Castle

Swords

24

County Hall in Swords

Swords

25

Ardboyne Hotel – Navan

Navan

26

Hillgrove Hotel –Monaghan

Monaghan

27

Civic Offices Blanchardstown,

Dublin

28

Department of Health

Dublin

29

Dundalk Stadium

Dundalk

30

Millennium Centre Dundalk

Dundalk

31

Town Hall Dundalk

Dundalk

32

Merchants Quay

Limerick

33

The Convention Centre Dublin

Dublin

34

Naas Ball - Perpetual Motion

Kildare