Art uses sport to promote awareness about the need for platlets donars
There are 2,400 platelets donors in Ireland and three of them are from Cloonacool in South Sligo.
Aiden Kilcoyne and Art McCarrick together with former donor, John Brennan were inspired to donate when two people connected with the local GAA club needed platelets while fighting cancer.
Platelets are a component of blood, and those undergoing treatment for various types of cancer require platelets because the in some cases body stops producing them.
Over 22,000 platelet transfusions are needed every year in Ireland.
wMany of Ireland’s patients rely on platelets and their lifespan is very short, so it is important supplies are constantly replenished.
Art told the Sligo Champion: “I always donated blood, but Tom Towey, a GAA coach of mine from U- 10 right up was diagnosed with Leukemia and he had a fundraiser for Leukemia research in Brennan’s in Cloonacool one night.
“I saw forms for platelet donation there on the night and filled one out, and a week later St James’ hospital contacted me and said they would love for me to donate.”
Art works with Motorsport Ireland, and was a participant in the recent Sligo Stages Rally, where he used the opportunity to create some publicity and raise awareness in relation to platelet donation.
“I’m heavily involved in motorsport through my job, but I like to compete as well. So for the Sligo Stages rally, I decided to try and raise awareness of platelet donation.
“So I said to my sponsors what if I don’t show your name on the car, and just use platelet details on it and they were all extremely positive about it.
“It raised a lot of awareness and I had plenty of people asking me about the car and we also had a short promotional video on social media.”
Art’s home area of Cloonacool already has a number of donors, and he hopes to continue his promotion of platelet donation by undergoing a similar exercise for the Cork International Rally, which is located close to one of the two donation centres in the country, in Cork and Dublin.
“The plan now is to do the Cork International Rally in October.
“It is on a slightly larger scale to the Sligo rally and it is also right beside a donation centre so hopefully it will help.”
If you would like to schedule an assessment appointment just fill in the online application form or simply call 01 432 2833 for more information on platlet donation and how you can become involved.