Play your part in Ireland's most extraordinary club - IBTS launches Blood for Life Week 18 - 24th September

Play your part in Irelands most extraordinary club - IBTS launches Blood for Life Week 18 24th September

Today FMs Ian Dempsey and Ray Darcy took time out from their busy schedule to  lend their support to this years Blood for Life Week campaign, joining Buddy the Blood Drop in our DOlier Street clinic to encourage people to play their part and become blood donors.

Announcing details of the weeks events, IBTS Chief Executive Andrew Kelly said: We all have a responsibility to play our part to ensure that blood is available when people need it.  This is only possible through the commitment and dedication of our donors. We need 3,000 donations a week every week to ensure that patients who need a life saving blood transfusion get it. In order to do this, we need existing donors to donate regularly, and we need new donors to replace those who are no longer able to donate. 

The aim of Blood for Life Week is to increase public awareness about blood donation, to encourage people to become regular donors and to thank donors for their commitment and support.  IBTS partners for Blood for Life Week are Today FM, Vodafone and TV3.

Today FM are running a nationwide campaign asking members of the public to text BLOOD to 53377 for an information pack on blood donation, with details on forthcoming clinics in their locality.  Today FM DJs Ian Dempsey, Ray Darcy and Phil Cawley will all play their part in this promotion.

In association with Vodafone, the IBTS will also launch its text partnership for the next year.  As part of its corporate social responsibility programme, Vodafone will continue to supply the IBTS with software and 360,000 free text messages, enabling the IBTS to remind donors of clinics in their area. . 

These are just some of the activities that are being held throughout the country:

Sunday 18th September:
100 and 50 time donor awards ceremony, Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork. Deputy Lord Mayor Councillor Jim Corr will attend this event.

Monday 19th September:
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service will hold its first ever awards ceremony for Unrelated Bone Marrow Donors in the Radisson Hotel, Stillorgan. President Mary McAleese will attend this event.

Tuesday 20th September:
On street promotion Grafton Street, Dublin.  The IBTS will be introducing a very special supporter to unsuspecting shoppers on Grafton Street!

Thursday 22nd September:
The IBTS will host a recognition ceremony at the National Blood Centre, Dublin for companies that support the Work Ferry Programme and for selected neo natal donors (donors who give blood used to treat seriously ill infants).

100 time donor Awards Ceremony, Stillorgan Park Hotel, Dublin.  An Tanaiste and Minister for Health and Children Mary Harney TD, will attend this event.

Ireland Rugby Player Paul OConnell, will be joining IBTS staff at a promotion at the Crescent Shopping Centre  

Friday 23rd September:
On street promotional activity in the vicinity of the Blood Donation Clinic Stillorgan. 

ENDS