Plea for summer blood donations

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service today urged people to donate blood before heading off on holidays.

Andrew Kelly, IBTS chief executive, warned supplies were dropping below required levels and asked donors to give regularly.

“Current blood stocks are low at a four-day supply level compared to the required 10-day supply level,” he said.

“The demand for blood does not decrease over the summer months and we would encourage people to make a special commitment to give blood during the coming weeks.”

As part of its campaign, ‘Summer holidays? Give before you go’, the IBTS urged people to donate, warning that last year, due to a shortage, hospitals had to cancel elective surgery for a short period.

Marking World Blood Donor Day the IBTS is aiming to raise awareness of the need for safe blood, to thank and honour those who give blood and to encourage current and potential donors to donate regularly.

“In this campaign, we are asking people to give blood before going on holidays, as this would help to ensure that blood stock levels are maintained during this critical period. The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 blood donations every week,” Mr Kelly said.