Irish Blood Transfusion Service pleads for donations as stocks dwindle to all-time low

Levels of blood available are at an all-time low, with nearly 20% of all donor appointments being cancelled weekly.

Almost one-fifth of blood donation appointments are being cancelled each week, prompting the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) to plead with donors to make an effort to drop in and give the "gift of life" in the coming weeks.

Irish blood donations are in high demand following a lack of donor availability due to the level of illness circulating this time of year.