Blood donor awards are handed out
THE Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) held its annual Gold Drop and Porcelain Pelican Awards Ceremony for the North-East, Midlands region in the Headfort Arms Hotel in Kells, Co Meath.
One hundred and twelve 50 time Donors received their Gold Drop and eight 100 time Donors received their Porcelain Pelicans at the ceremony. Donors and their guests attended from counties Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Westmeath, Longford, and North County Dublin.
Stephen Cousins, National Donor Services Manager was MC for the ceremony and welcomed everyone and congratulated all the Donors on their significant achievements. Prof. Anthony Staines, Chairperson of the Board of the IBTS performed the opening address and thanked all the Donors saying that donating 50 times and 100 times is the perfect example of human generosity. Prof. Anthony Staines presented each of the 50 Time Donors with their Gold Drop awards and the Porcelain Pelicans to the 100 Time Donors.
Emma Gilbey, a Recipient Speaker was honoured to speak at the awards. Following complications after the birth of her baby Charlie, she had emergency surgery which lasted four hours and where she lost four litres of blood. She walked Charlie to his 1st day of school last September, which wouldn’t have been possible without Donors. She said that their award should take pride of place in their homes. Their generosity restores her faith in humanity. Paul McKinney, Operations Director presented Emma with a bouquet of flowers and she received a heart felt round of applause.
Mr. Paul McKinney, Operations Director paid tribute to the donor’s fantastic achievement of donating 50 and 100 times. The enormity of it is immense. 100 donations is a lifetime of giving. He also thanked the Local Voluntary Organisers, the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, Na Cailíní in Ballybay, Civil Defence, ICA, Scouts, G.A.A. and the many individuals who organise, promote and assist the work of the IBTS in the community.