Recipient Stories

About 70,000 people receive blood transfusions and 26,000 receive platelet transfusions each year in Ireland. Read about the impact of blood donations on their lives. 

Having worked as a nurse in a bone marrow transplant unit for 12 years, Sinead saw first-hand the importance of blood and platelet transfusions. In 2019, she found herself on the receiving end of transfusions after the birth of twin girls.

"I received numerous units of red blood cells and platelets. Without the fantastic donors who give blood and platelets, I would not be here," she says. "I will be forever grateful to these fantastic donors and urge anyone who is eligible to please go and donate. Thank you for everything!"

Leila was born with a rare gene disorder that caused several medical issues, including bone marrow failure. She received her first blood transfusion at just 1 day old, and soon Leila required two platelet transfusions and one blood transfusion every week. “Strangers were keeping our precious baby girl alive through their donations of blood and platelets.”

The only long-term treatment for Leila was a bone marrow transplant. Her donor attended every appointment required, entering complete isolation for four weeks prior to the surgery during COVID. Ultimately, he donated his bone marrow to help cure Leila. She was just 11 months old.

“We considered these donors our superheroes. These were people who had no prior connection to her and who would never know her story. Without them, Leila wouldn’t have had a future, and we wouldn’t have the amazing daughter who lights up our world,” Leila’s mum, Stacey.

Kerri had her daughter in 2024 via emergency C-section, and continued to lose blood into the following day. With her baby in tow, Kerri was transferred to the high dependency unit and received two blood transfusions and two iron transfusions. 
 
"It was a very, very scary moment, but I had wonderful midwives and doctors surrounding me, many of whom I still think and speak highly about almost two years later," Kerri says.
 
Thanks to the amazing staff and blood donors, she made a full recovery and was able to go home to enjoy newborn snuggles. "I will be forever grateful to all those who give blood. It’s incredibly kind, so generous, and most importantly, it saves lives."

Neil was diagnosed with myelodysplastic syndrome in 2023, which progressed to acute myeloid leukaemia in early 2024. He received about 50 units of blood during treatment. 
"I wouldn't have survived without these transfusions, and I'm deeply grateful to each donor. They saved my life," he says.

In 2024, he had a stem cell transplant from a 21-year-old unrelated donor. "2025 has been the best year of my life because of generous donors. If you're thinking about donating, please do. You can help save someone's life, just like mine."

Megan, now 30, was diagnosed with B-cell acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) at the age of 27. After her diagnosis, she received her first blood transfusion and discovered that she has A+ blood. "I remember reading the bag hanging over me and turning to my mum, who was obviously devastated, with the news, saying, 'That's the first time I've ever seen A+ next to my name!"

Throughout her treatment, she relied on numerous blood products. "I'm grateful to any A+ donor who gave blood around that time; they really did keep me afloat!" Following a relapse, she was placed on the list for a bone marrow transplant. In 2023, she successfully received a transplant from a matched stranger.

"I am back to traveling and working now, which wouldn't have been possible without 1) getting a blood test, 2) receiving blood products, and 3) getting a bone marrow transplant." Megan hopes her story inspires others to become blood, platelets and bone marrow donors.

Sam was just six months old when he was diagnosed with severe aortic stenosis and coarctation, which required an urgent open-heart surgery at Crumlin. He underwent the surgery one month later.

"It was the longest day of our lives waiting. Thankfully, the surgery was a success", says his mother, Meg. "Sam required many units of blood during this surgery. We are forever grateful to the people who get out and donate as we know they helped save our boys life."

The day Orla gave birth to her daughter was one of the happiest and scariest days of her life. She lost over 2 liters of blood during delivery and needed a blood transfusion. 

"Thanks to amazing blood donors, I was able to hold my baby girl when I woke up from surgery and have gotten to watch her grow over the past year," says Orla.

Six days after giving birth to her second daughter, Rachel experienced a severe haemorrhage at home. She lost over 2.5 litres of blood and had to undergo emergency surgery. Thanks to everyday heroes who donate blood, she was able to receive a transfusion.

"Without the transfusion and surgery, I might not be here today. I want to express my gratitude to all the donors and encourage others to donate if they can. Since then, we have completed building our home and are thriving as a family," says Rachel. "I get to watch my girls grow up."

 Tell us your blood or platelet transfusion recipient or donor stories so we can share your story and inspire others!