IBTS seeks 13,000 blood donations before Christmas to maintain hospital supplies

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service today (Sunday) urged people to make a special effort to give blood between now and Christmas, as 13,000 donations are needed to maintain the blood supply over the Christmas/New Year period. 

 We are launching our Christmas campaign, which includes increased advertising and promotional activities, to ensure that we have adequate supplies of blood over the Christmas/New year period.  Hospital demand has increased significantly over the last two months.  There was a 10% increase in blood issued in October 2006 over October 2005 and that trend has continued with demand increasing by a further 6% in November, resulting in a decline in our reserve stocks, said Paddy Bowler, IBTS Director of Operations.

Currently, there are 4.5 days of blood supply in the blood bank; to guarantee meeting hospital requirements over the forthcoming holiday period we need to build our stock holdings to 10 days supply.

We are urging donors, all over the country, but especially in Dublin to give a priceless gift this Christmas - give blood.  Approximately 20% of all people who attempt to donate are deferred on any given day, therefore we actually need about 16,000 people to attend our clinics in the coming weeks to reach the target of 13,000 donations.  

Traditionally holiday periods present difficulties in sustaining the blood supply as donations are generally lower. As demand is increasing, we are asking new and regular donors to make a special effort to give blood over the coming weeks.

ENDS