This year’s World Blood Donor Day slogan is “Give blood, give plasma, share life, share often.”
Did you know that?
- Only 3% of the eligible population are blood donors but it is estimated 1 in 4 people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.
- Approximately 8% of these donors are O negative. However, as this blood can be transfused to patients of all groups, issues of this blood group to hospitals frequently hits 15% thus requiring more frequent calls on donors of this group.
- Current demand for blood from the hospitals is running at +5.8% versus 2022 and is likely to further increase over the Summer. Irish Blood Transfusion Service. (2023)
While summer is often associated with sunshine, relaxation, and travel, it can also bring challenges for blood donation organisations like the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) and the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS). The availability of blood donors can decrease during the summer months due to various factors, including people going on holiday or engaging in other activities.
During the summer, many individuals may be away from their usual routines, making it more difficult for them to maintain regular blood donation appointments. This can lead to a decrease in the number of available donors, potentially impacting the blood supply.
Additionally, summer can be a time of increased demand for blood. Road accidents, outdoor activities, and various events may result in a higher need for blood transfusions. It’s important to ensure that the blood supply remains sufficient to meet these demands.
IBTS and NIBTS are currently implementing appeals asking more donors to donate and make an extra effort to attend their nearest clinic, as these donors are vital to maintaining the blood supply necessary to keep up with increased demand from hospitals.
The IBTS and NIBTS needs to collect over 6820 units of blood every week to maintain the national supply on the island of Ireland. In May, a pre-amber alert was issued to all hospitals in Ireland. This means that restricting issues of blood and hospitals reducing their stock holdings. This can involve postponing non-essential or elective surgical procedures that require blood support, allowing the available blood to be directed towards priority cases.
It’s important for eligible individuals to consider donating blood to help address the increased demand. Each donation can potentially save multiple lives, as blood products can be separated into red cells, platelets, and plasma, which can be used to treat different medical conditions.
Donated blood undergoes rigorous testing and processing to ensure its safety and compatibility with patients in need. For over 20 years MSC have been partnered with Immucor, supplying IBTS and NIBTS with laboratory equipment. Immucor are the world leaders in blood transfusion testing with their Capture R technology which allows for higher throughput of blood testing. Immucor strive to create a world where anyone, anywhere in need of blood or transplantation gets the right blood or transplant that is safe, accessible, and affordable. On average blood is used within 5 days of donation and therefore a continuous donation stream is extremely important to keep up with demand.
Four employees in MSC who share their experience below, donate regularly and have made significant differences in helping hospitals provide essential care to patients in need are:
Cian Murphy
“I first gave blood just after my 16th birthday with my Dad and went with him regularly until I went to university. I didn’t donate then for a few years but started back in my late twenties and have been donating regularly since. Since Covid, the ability to book a slot has made it much easier for me to keep up regular donations.
I find the process of donation straightforward and there is only momentary discomfort when the needle is put in. I love to see where my blood has been issued, recently it has been used in Sligo, Tallaght and The Beacon. I always talk about donating with my kids and show them where the needle went in. I want them to believe that donation is just something you do and become donors themselves. It probably takes me 6 hours per year, and I enjoy my bag of Taytos at each session”.
To date, Cian has donated 26 pints of blood.
Denise Brady
“I started donating in 2019 as I have a universal blood type and I have always heard appeals on the radio for donations, so I said I would give it a try. Universal donors can play a crucial role in emergencies when blood typing isn’t immediately available. I have tried to give every three months when the clinic visits my area. I always bring my kindle to enjoy a bit of time out for myself while I am there. The staff are always lovely and very grateful that you have made a donation.”
To date, Denise has donated 11 pints of blood
Tom Holmes
“I started giving blood in the mid 1990’s. A bus to and from Pelican House on Mespil Road in Dublin was available and we would organise donors from the office to avail of that service. I continued to donate until the early 2000’s when mortgages, moving house and a young family seemed to take priority. Following another appeal just before Covid, and, with a mobile clinic coming to my locality, I returned to donating blood regularly.
Every 90 days, I go to D’Olier house, get my free parking in Fleet Street and give blood. I must applaud the HR department in the IBTS for their recruitment policy as everyone you meet in whole the process is very friendly, great to chat to, and always appreciative that you’ve come. I’ve opted for text notifications. These not only remind me of upcoming appointments, but also tell me where the donation was sent which is always nice to know.
The coffee, cakes, chocolate, and crisps afterwards aren’t bad either!”
To date, Tom has donated 24 pints of blood.
Sara-Jane Hanna
“For World Blood Donor Day 2023, I decided to donate my first ever pint of blood at 26 years old. Many times, the NIBTS had run blood drives throughout my university life; however, my chronic fear of needles always pulled me away from donating. I had always known that blood donations were a vital part of our healthcare system; however, I always thought that everyone else donates, so that should be ‘enough’.
It wasn’t until I left university and started my career at MSC, working alongside blood banks for diagnostic testing, that I saw first-hand how the blood banks worked on testing all the donors and patients before a blood transfusion. This also led me to see the drop in donations during Covid, and the large walk-in lab fridges become increasingly empty. It was shocking. Shocking enough that I decided that this was the year that I was going to donate myself, and luckily, I was an eligible donor.
I went to the NIBTS headquarters at the City Hospital in Belfast for my first donation. Immediately everyone was super friendly and welcoming. They answered all my questions, of which there was a lot! I was extremely nervous about the needle; however, it was much smaller than I had imagined in my head, and I was set up. One small prick later I was set up and donating.
The donation process was only 15 minutes, which felt less as the nurses all chatted away with me and the other donors. Once my bag was filled, they unhooked me, and I sat for 10 minutes rehydrating, and I was delighted with my freddo! I’m so glad that I decided to donate as I know one day it may be me who needs blood.”
How can I donate blood?
To find out if you are eligible to donate contact your local blood donation centre to find out how you can contribute during this time of increased demand.
If you are living in Ireland, go to IBTS or Northern Ireland go to NIBTS
Your donation can make a significant difference in helping hospitals provide essential care to patients in need.
References:
Urgent appeal for blood donors. Irish Blood Transfusion Service. (2023). https://www.giveblood.ie/media/newsroom/press_releases/2023/urgent-appeal-for-blood-donors.html
