The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) are urgently seeking an additional 2,000 blood donations over the next 4 weeks to support the national blood supply. Stocks of most blood groups have fallen to under 3 days of stock. The IBTS aims to have 7 days’ supply, but current levels including O negative, A negative and B negative are under 3 days’ supply and O positive (at nearly half the population) is very low at 3.5 days, stock.
The Blood Transfusion Service says hospital demands have never been higher, August blood issues was the highest issued to hospitals in over a decade. The Service says that it needs an increase of 500 donations per week in the run up to the October Bank holiday. Donors are urged to respond to invites to clinics in the coming days and weeks.
Potential new donors should visit giveblood.ie to review the eligibility test and call 1800 731137 to make an appointment. Donors of African Heritage tare especially urged to donate blood. Clinics are ongoing in Nenagh this evening and on Wednesday and Thursday evenings starting at 4.50pm until the final appointment time of 8.10pm.
