IBTS launches #MissingType campaign as part of global give blood initiative
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is taking part in a global initiative with blood donor organisations across 21 countries to highlight an almost 30% international drop in people becoming blood donors compared to a decade ago. The campaign brings together 25 blood services from 21 countries covering one billion of the World's population who are each calling for new donors to ensure blood donation for future donations.
"In Ireland there is a particular need for new donors as 21% less people came forward to donate for the first time in 2015 compared to 2010. While the average age of donors in Ireland was 40.8 years old last year. This has increased by 2.5 years, from 38.4 years in 2005. This is part of a world-wide trend in blood donation. In a survey for the Missing Type campaign, participating blood services reported the number of people becoming donors and giving blood for the first time was 1.8m in 2005 and 1.3m in 2015 - a drop of just over 27% As part of this initiative, the IBTS is aiming to recruit an additional 8,000 new donors before the end of the year," said IBTS National Donor Services Manager, Stephen Cousins.
Key barriers to people coming forward to donate that were identified by blood services around the world include:
- increasing urbanisation
- wider and more exotic travel
- people have less time to give in an increasingly busy and digital world
- lack of awareness about the need for more diverse blood donors
Throughout the campaign, As, Bs and Os, the letters of the main blood groups, will disappear in everyday and iconic locations across the world including Croke Park, Wild Atlantic Way, Bondi Beach, Route 66, Tokyo Tower and Downing Street all are losing their A, B and Os for #MissingType.
"Blood transfusions save lives and transform health for millions across the world. But blood transfusions cannot happen if people do not give blood. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after accidents or during surgery or women who lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare.
"We really hope that people will be inspired by the Missing Type campaign and start saving lives by becoming blood donors. They can visit giveblood.ie to check eligibility, see when the next clinic is on or register their interest if no clinics are near them in the future," said Stephen Cousins.
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