The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) have issued an appeal for more blood donation from the public over Christmas period. According to IBTS, there is currently only two days’ worth of O- blood, four days’ worth of A- blood and three days of B- blood in stock.
The group appeal for more donations especially from people with the O-, A- and B- blood types.
Earlier a blood donation appeal by the IBTS did not met the target as many people cancelled their appointments for donation due to a surge in Covid cases.
“High levels of COVID-19 in the population is impacting on donor availability, resulting in high numbers of cancellations and the IBTS is urgently asking healthy donors to respond to when they receive a text from us,” said Barry Doyle, Acting Operations Director.
Extra donation clinics will also be operational during Christmas and New Year periods including those on 19 December, 24 December, 28 December, 31 December and 3 January.
You can find details of blood donation and a centre near you here: https://www.giveblood.ie/find-a-clinic/
Source: Journal.ie