Urgent appeal for blood donation in Donegal due to severely low stock

The mobile blood donation clinic is in Donegal Town this week and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is appealing to people to arrange an appointment.

Those who lived in England are reminded that they are now eligible to donate.

Supplies of blood are very low, with the IBTS listing the current stock to last as follows:

O+ five days

O- four days

A+ seven days

A- three days

B+ five days

B- four days 

AB+ eight days

AB- eight days

The clinic continues in the Abbey Hotel, Donegal Town on Wednesday, March 22 from 3pm to 5pm and from 7pm to 9pm, and on Thursday, March 23 from 2.30pm to 6.30pm.

Donors are asked to call 1850 731 137 between 9am and 5am to make an appointment. Anyone who already has a Donor ID is asked to have it to hand. First time donors are also welcome.

Donating blood is a simple way to make a huge difference to someone’s life. Blood donations save lives in times of great trauma for those who need them. People who benefit include road traffic victims, those undergoing major surgery, cancer patients and even unborn babies.

It is estimated that one in four of us will need a blood donation at some point in our lives, with around 70,000 transfusions likely to take place in Ireland’s hospitals this year. 

However, only 3% of the eligible population currently donate. For anybody who has never donated blood before, it is good to know that it is a straightforward process that takes place in a relaxed environment. The clinic staff are extremely friendly and helpful, and will be happy to answer questions and address concerns.

Changes to donor criteria mean that people who had previously been ineligible because of living in the UK can now donate blood. So too can those who have hereditary haemochromatosis, subject to meeting specific conditions.