App Launch 2014

Thursday 23rd October 2014

 

IBTS launches Giveblood.ie App at Science Gallery exhibition on blood 

 

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) today (Thursday) launched a new mobile application for blood donors in Ireland at the opening of the Science Gallery Exhibition entitled ‘Blood – not for the faint-hearted’ where the IBTS is a programme partner.  “The IBTS is aiming to achieve 5,000 downloads before Christmas. The Giveblood.ie App which is free, is available in the app stores from today for Android and IOS smart-phone users,” said Stephen Cousins, National Donor Services Manager.

“The app will offer the IBTS the ability to contact specific blood types at times when the blood supply is at critical level. Users who do not wish to be contacted in an emergency may opt-out of this notification.

“Donors can now check the national blood supply in real time from their phones. It is hoped that this feature will make donors more aware of their own blood group’s supply, and encourage them to attend clinics particularly if stocks are below 7 days.

“Users can also search for and find details and times of their nearest upcoming blood donation clinic by using the location based services map with GPS function. The application identifies the location from which the donor is using the app, and presents them with a range of nearby upcoming clinics displayed on an interactive and user friendly map.

“One fun aspect of the App is the ability to share information via social media that donors are attending clinics or using the app to search for clinics. Research has shown that potential donors are more likely to give blood if their friends and peer groups are doing so.

In addition, using the Giveblood.ie App, new and current blood donors can do an initial check on their eligibility to give blood.

 “By downloading the new app, we aim to make it easier for donors to plan their donations and ultimately save lives. We ask current donors, and anyone who is interested in giving blood in the future to download the app for their smart-phone, and let others know about it. We are also very fortunate to have the support of Vodafone Ireland to promote the app to our donors with a free text message informing them about the app’s availability.”

ENDS

App functionality - Complete Feature List:

-          Location Based Clinic Finder

-          Blood Supply Levels indicator

-          Donor Eligibility Information

-          App Share function

-          App Push Notifications

-          Register Interest Function

-          IBTS information Pages

-          Contact Use Function

Download Link 1:

https://itunes.apple.com/ie/app/giveblood.ie/id421354843?mt=8

Download Link 2: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=ie.imobile.extremepush.client&hl=en

For more information, please contact:

Mirenda O’Donovan at 087/2078127

Notes to Editor

The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 donations a week

Just 3% of the eligible population give blood but 1 in 4 of us will require a blood transfusion at some point in our lives

Blood lasts just 35 days.

IBTS aims to hold about 7 days supply of blood at any given time

47% of the population are O positive

8% of the population are O negative but this blood groups represents 14% of all blood used.

Donors give on average 1.6 times a year. They may be able to donate up to 4 times a year.