More than 13,000 blood donations are needed to maintain stocks over Christmas, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) said today.
The service has begun a campaign to replace blood levels that are running low. Some 3,000 blood donations are needed every week in the State.
"Our stocks are down at four-and-a-half days, just a little bit too low for this time of the year," said Paddy Bowler, director of operations of the IBTS.
"What's caused this is an increase in demand from the hospitals through October and November, a 10 per cent increase in October, and a further 6 per cent in November.
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"Traditionally we would like 10 days of stock coming in to the Christmas and New Year period," Mr Bowler said.
PA