The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) yesterday issued an urgent appeal to people to donate blood. It has just 3½ days of blood supply in stock when ideally, it would have twice this amount. Paddy Bowler, director of operations with the IBTS, said this means that meeting hospital requirements for blood over the holiday period will be challenging.
He said stocks were lower than normal because demand for blood has increased significantly over the last two months and there were low attendances at donation clinics in the week before and after the October bank holiday weekend.
"A 7 per cent increase in blood issued in October 2007 over October 2006 has led to a reduction in stock of 1,500 units, leaving the blood supply very tight in recent weeks. The trend has continued in November, with demand remaining at this increased level," he said.
He said 15,000 donations are needed to maintain the supply over the Christmas and new year period.
"We are urging donors, all over the country, but especially in urban areas to give a priceless gift this Christmas - blood. Approximately 20 per cent of all people who attend cannot give blood, therefore we actually need about 19,000 people to attend our clinics in the coming weeks to reach our target of 15,000 donations," he said.