Blood donations sought over fears of Christmas shortage

Blood donors have been urged to donate before Christmas amid fears of a shortage of supplies over the holiday period.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service, which needs 15,000 donations over the coming weeks to maintain supply, says achieving this will be difficult between now and Christmas/New Year period.

The challenge of maintaining supplies this Christmas is heightened by the fact that Christmas Day and New Year’s Day both fall on a Thursday this year, which is normally the best collection day of the service. As a result, the IBTS is running extra Saturday and Sunday clinics before Christmas, between Christmas and the New Year and after New Year’s Day to make sure there is blood available for patients over the holiday period.

"Traditionally holiday periods and especially the lead into the Christmas/New Year festivities present significant difficulties in sustaining the blood supply. On any given day 200 patients receive transfusions in Irish hospitals", said IBTS operations director Paddy Bowler.

Clinic details can be obtained on www.giveblood.ie.