IBTS Chairperson thanks donors for their selfless contribution to patient care

IBTS Chairperson thanks donors for their selfless contribution to patient care

The Chairperson of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Ms Maura McGrath today (Monday) thanked those who responded to the IBTS Christmas campaign to encourage people to give blood in the run up to Christmas.

"We are very grateful to all of those people who made a special effort to get to a clinic and give blood at a time of the year which is busy for us all."

Over 12,000 people responded to our Christmas campaign which was launched at the end of November. Attendance at clinics was up just over 20% nationally for the same period last year.

"Thanks to your generosity, we are able to continue to supply hospitals with blood and blood products over the holiday period. The IBTS needs 3,000 donations a week, every week to meet hospital demand. Without the voluntary effort of thousands of people every week, this would be impossible.

"I would like to acknowledge that spirit of volunteerism. Blood donation is about people making a contribution for the benefit of others. There is no substitute for human blood and it lasts just 35 days, which is why the IBTS needs a constant supply of donors. Again I would like to thank all of those who supported our clinics over the past twelve months and would urge those who have not done so, to consider making a commitment to give blood in 2006 and join Irelands most extraordinary club," said Ms McGrath.

ENDS