IBTS launches Blood for Life Week

7% increase in hospital demand for blood

Brian Kerr, Sharon Ni Bheolain and two and a half year old Eoghan O'Sullivan from Carlow who features in the poster campaign with Sharon and Brian were in Tallaght today to launch this year's Blood for Life Week.  Eoghan, from Carlow required a number of transfusions when he had an organ transplant operation last year.

Speaking at the launch, IBTS Acting Chief Executive Andy Kelly said that the aim of the week was to increase awareness among the general public about the importance of regular blood donation.

The blood supply needs to be regular and constant.  Blood only lasts 35 days and as we need 3,000 donations a week to supply hospitals all over the country, we are constantly seeking new donors to guarantee that supply.

Over the past two years there has been a 7% increase in demand from hospitals and so far, we have managed to meet that demand.  Last year, donations increased by 8.2%, but this requires constant effort on our part to continually attract new donors into our clinics.  This is why Blood for Life Week is so important, it reminds people why being a regular donor can really make a difference, said Mr Kelly.

ENDS

Blood for Life Week Monday 22nd September - Sunday 28th September

Monday 22nd
Information stand in Superquinn, Walkinstown, Dublin
Information stand in Superquinn, Kilkenny
St Patrick's Athletic FC v Derry at Richmond Park, St Patrick's Athletic will be promoting our first clinic in Inchicore at the match
Information Stand, Tescos, Ballina

Tuesday 23rd
100 time Donor Award Ceremony, City West Hotel, Dublin
Clinic in Inchicore, Dublin 8, members of St Patrick’s Athletic football team will visit the clinic to meet donors
Information stand, Superquinn, Blackrock and Limerick
Information stand, Cork Institute of Technology
Information stand, Ploughing Championships

Wednesday 24th
Information stand, Superquinn, Sundrive Road, Dublin
Information stand, Superquinn, Carlow
Information stand, Ploughing Championships

Thursday 25th
Information stand, Superquinn, Blanchardstown
Information stand, Ploughing Championships

Sunday 28th
The IBTS is holding a number of Sunday clinics across the country.  Details are as follows:
Hotel Kilmore, Cavan, Co, Cavan 11.30am – 3.30pm
Brandon House Hotel, New Ross, Co Wexford 11.30am – 3.30pm
Royal Hoey Hotel, Athlone, Co Westmeath 12 midday  – 4.00pm

Facts about Blood

  • Blood lasts just 35 days
  • 1 in 4 people will need a transfusion at some time in their lives
  • The IBTS needs 3,000 donations a week to supply 71 hospitals nation wide
  • The most common blood group in Ireland is O positive
  • About 70,000 people in Ireland will have transfusions this year
  • Platelets, a component of blood, used to treat cancer patients lasts just 5 days