Volunteers make a splash on Sandymount Strand for World Blood Donor Day – Every Drop Counts

Thursday 27th May 2010

Volunteers make a splash on Sandymount Strand for World Blood Donor Day – Every Drop Counts

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service decided to launch the event with a large scale group formation photo on Sandymount Strand.  Over 150 people formed “giveblood.ie” and the shape of a human blood drop after responding to a call for volunteers on Facebook, and were joined by Defence Forces personnel and IBTS staff.   World Blood Donor Day will take place on Monday 14th June.

The international event focuses on the importance of voluntary blood donation and encourages more people to become regular donors. “Over the summer months in particular we are continually challenged to meet hospital demand as schools are closed and people are on holidays. This puts pressure on the available supply. Meeting this demand can only be achieved through community involvement at many levels. These connections are vital if patients in hospitals are to receive the blood they require when they need it. Giving blood is a truly altruistic act and blood donors feel good for having done it. This photo event gave donors and volunteers an opportunity to get involved in a different way but with the same aim of having blood available over the summer months,” said Andy Kelly Chief Executive IBTS.

The IBTS will also launch its summer campaign which will kick off on June 7th and will comprise of TV, Online and Radio advertisements as well as on street promotion across the country. On Sunday 13th June, 100time donors will be honoured at the Shelbourne Hotel, Dublin. Other award ceremonies have taken place in Claremorris, Carlow, Cork, Limerick and Kells in recent weeks.

The IBTS Facebook community will mark World Blood Donor day by adopting a “giveblood” profile picture to show their commitment to saving lives.  World Blood Donor Day is kindly supported by Vodafone Ireland, Today FM, TV3 and 11890.

Laura Turkington, CSR Manager at Vodafone Ireland said, “VodafoneIrelandis delighted and proud to support World Blood Donor Day. Vodafone has been working with the IBTS for several years now and recognises how important it is to increase awareness of the on-going need for the public to donate blood. IBTS saves thousands of lives each year and is wholly reliant upon members of the public to donate blood on a regular basis.”

To find out how you can get involved please visit www.giveblood.ie or locall 1850 731 137

Notes to the Editor

  • The IBTS needs approximately 3,000 units of blood per week
  • 1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lives
  • You can give blood every 3 months