Blood Transfusion Service issues call for regular donors

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is calling for more Irish people to become regular blood donors.

The request is being made to mark Blood for Life Week, which is aimed at highlighting the importance of donations.

More than 1,000 people need blood transfusions in Ireland every week and 3,000 donations are needed per week to keep supply in line with demand.

However, the IBTS says more than 1.2 million eligible donors in Ireland have never given blood.