First-Ever Blood Donation Clinic to be held at Cappawhite Community Centre

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is delighted to announce its first-ever blood donation clinic at the Cappawhite Community Centre on Monday, April 22, from 4.50 PM to 8.10 PM. The initiative is part of a broader effort to ensure a robust national blood supply by welcoming both new and returning donors.

This clinic comes at a critical time as the IBTS aims to recruit 15,000 new donors in 2024 to maintain the stability of the National blood supply. “The demand for blood is constant; on any given day, 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals,” says Ms. Grace O’Sullivan, Area Manager for the IBTS.

“Each donation can save up to three lives. We are reaching out to the communities in Counties Tipperary and Limerick to help us meet this demand.”

This clinic is open to both new and existing donors. Appointments can be made by calling the IBTS at 1800 222 111. Existing donors have the additional convenience of using the IBTS online donor portal to schedule their donations.

Blood is a vital resource that can last only 35 days, and the needs are particularly acute for newborns, who require blood less than 5 days old. The importance of regular donations cannot be overstated. Moreover, the IBTS now includes malarial antibody testing to diversify the blood supply, reflecting Ireland's multicultural population.

Additionally, individuals previously deferred by the UK residency ban, due to variant Creutzfeldt-Jakob Disease (vCJD) concerns from 1980 to 1996, are now encouraged to donate again, following the lift of the ban in 2019.

“We need about 3,000 blood donations a week to keep our hospitals supplied,” adds Ms. O’Sullivan. “Your contribution is crucial, and every donor plays a part in this life-saving chain. We are excited about meeting and exceeding our goal of 15,000 new donors, ensuring that every patient who needs a transfusion receives one.”

Join us in saving lives in Counties Tipperary, Limerick and beyond. Whether you are a new donor or have donated before, your contribution is vital. Together, we can ensure that our healthcare system continues to function effectively and can care for all who need it.

For more information on how you can become a donor or to learn more about the process, please visit our website at www.giveblood.ie or phone us directly on 1800 222 111

For confirmation or further information please contact Alex O’Connor 0872310717, alex.oconnor@ibts.ie