LIVE: Thurles blood donation clinics call on public: ‘Your help is needed!’
A four-day clinic will take place at The Dome, Semple Stadium, later this month
Tipperary blood donors are being encouraged to attend local clinics in the coming weeks and months as demand across the county remains high.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is appealing for help with national blood supplies, especially for vital blood groups like O negative and B negative, falling to ‘concerning levels’.
The service added that some blood types now have less than three days’ stock.
The IBTS aims to maintain a seven-day supply at all times to ensure our hospitals can meet patient needs.
The shortfall means that they need to collect an additional 2,000 donations nationwide over the coming weeks to prevent any impact on vital medical procedures.
Hospital demand for blood has been consistently high, particularly following the recent June and May Bank holidays, and the recent good weather has also unfortunately impacted clinic attendance.
The IBTS insists that “every single donation makes a profound difference.
“Blood is a lifeline for thousands of patients every year, from those undergoing complex surgeries, individuals battling cancer and leukaemia requiring chemotherapy, to mothers experiencing complications during childbirth, and victims of serious accidents.
“One unit of blood can save or significantly improve the lives of up to three people.”With this in mind, a clinic will be taking place in Thurles town this month with donors encouraged to donate.
From Monday June 23 to Thursday June 26, a clinic will operare at The Dome, by Semple Stadium in Thurles.
The clinic will open daily from 4:50pm until 8.10pm.
To make an appointment please call 1800 222 111. New donors are welcome at all clinics.
Whether you are a regular donor or have never given blood before, your contribution is valuable. New donors are especially welcome, and we strongly encourage anyone interested in becoming a lifesaver to consider attending.
Please note, the IBTS has already issued a stock management alert to hospitals, asking them to reduce their blood holding. If current trends continue, the next step would be an 'amber alert letter', which could have immediate implications for elective surgical procedures requiring blood support.
Donating blood is a simple, safe, and profoundly selfless act. The actual donation process typically takes only 10-15 minutes, preceded by a health questionnaire and a quick check.
Nationally, around 70,000 people receive blood transfusions in Ireland each year.