Blood donations steady but challenges remain

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has praised blood donors who rallied to boost donations after faulty testing equipment left 90,000 donors in limbo over their ability to donate.

The IBTS has warned that the struggle to retain donors and attract new ones is ongoing and faces new challenges all the time.

Just 3% of people eligible to give blood make donations yet 25% of the population will need a blood donor at some stage in their life.