Extra Blood Donors Are Needed Over Christmas As Supplies Are Running Low

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is concerned about the supply of blood available in Ireland between now and the end of Christmas, and is calling on donors to make a special effort to give blood this month, with an expected 10,000 donations needed.

A spokesperson told Independent.ie that "low attendances at clinics in recent weeks have seen supply for some blood groups drop to just four days. The additional clinics will assist with this but it is also important the clinics of Christmas week are well attended as we need to maintain the blood supply".

There is also the added difficulty in supplying maternity and children’s hospitals who only use blood for very young children that are no older than five days.

The Christmas period is traditionally a stressful time for maintaining blood supply, and with the ITBS' usual Sunday clinics not running at the end of the month, due to Christmas Day and New Year's Day falling on a Sunday, there is extra pressure.

Additional clinics will be held across the country this Sunday, December 18, in Dunshaughlin, Carlow, Perrystown (Dublin), Scariff and Roscommon town.

The perfect opportunity to do a good deed this Christmas!

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