Sports stars line out in blood appeal
The two-and-a-half-year-old from Carlow only recently underwent an organ transplant and needed a number of blood transfusions during his operation. Eoghan yesterday teamed up with Victor Costello, Garvan Dempsey and Keith Gleeson of the Irish World Cup rugby squad to kick off the Irish Blood Transfusion Service's Blood for Life Week.
This year, in keeping with the blood bank's theme of 'Be a Sport Give Blood', the Irish rugby squad have given their support in advance of their final warm up this weekend before the World Cup.
Every summer the number of people donating blood declines. A minimum of 3,000 units is required every week in hospitals across the country, but the total blood stock level for this week is 2,048. The blood bank must continuously strive to maintain supply as 1.2 million people across the country have never given blood.
Blood for Life Week, which takes place from September 22 to 28 next, aims to make people realise the importance of becoming a blood donor who can donate regularly.
Other leading sporting personalities helping the blood bank include Republic of Ireland soccer manager Brian Kerr, European champion and Olympic medallist Sonia O'Sullivan and Irish rugby international Peter Clohessy.
On Monday, September 22, St Patrick's Athletic will be promoting the blood bank's clinic during their match against Derry at Inchicore.
