IBTS seeks 13,000 blood donations before Christmas 2012

Thursday  6^th December 2012 

IBTS seeks 13,000 blood donations before Christmas to keep hospitals supplied

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service today (Thursday) 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. The IBTS announced details of its Christmas campaign at the launch of the Garda Blood for Life Cycle in Cork, which is scheduled to take place in April 2013, from Malin to Mizen.

“Low attendances at clinics since the October bank holiday weekend has left the blood supply very tight in recent weeks.  The most common blood groups have regularly been at the four day stock level in recent weeks” said IBTS Director of Operations Paddy Bowler.

“Today, there are 3.5 days of blood supply in stock; which means that meeting hospital requirements over the forthcoming holiday period is a particularly difficult challenge. Ideally, we would like to have 7 days supply.

“We are urging donors, all over the country, but especially in urban areas to give a priceless gift this Christmas - give blood.  Approximately 16% of all people who attend can not give blood on any given day, therefore we actually need about 16,000 people to attend our clinics in the coming weeks to reach our target of 13,000 donations.  

IBTS Chief executive Andy Kelly said that traditionally, holiday periods, but especially the lead into the Christmas/New Year festivities present significant difficulties in sustaining the blood supply.  “Therefore we are asking new and regular donors to make a special effort to give blood over the coming weeks.”

ENDS