Blood transfusion service running clinics in town
ONE in four people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. Every day, patients in hospitals throughout Ireland require blood transfusions.
Sometimes it may be for a routine surgical procedure such as a hip operation. Other times it may be for someone recovering from a road traffic accident, major surgery such as a heart bypass or perhaps a transfusion is needed to enable a patient to tolerate the effects of cancer treatment.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) provides the blood and blood products needed in hospitals to help these patients. Every week 3,000 donations are needed in Ireland. A coronary artery bypass may use between 1 and 5 units of blood. A car victim may require up to 30 units of blood, a bleeding ulcer could require anything between 3 and 30 units of blood. An average adult has between 10 and 12 pints of blood. A blood donation is just 470mls – less than one
A blood donation is just 470mls – less than one pint. Please remember that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda required 2,030 units in 2015.
You must be 18 or over and under 65 to give blood for the first time. If you are aged between 65 and 70 years (up to, but not including your 70th birthday) and you have donated in the last 10 years, you can give blood.
In selected cases, you can give blood if you are 70 years or over (you must have donated in the last two years and have a Medical Certificate from your GP).
If you’d like to help, there is an opportunity to give blood at the IBTS mobile clinic in Crowne Plaza Hotel, Dublin Road, Dundalk on Thursday 22nd December, Tuesday 27th December and Wednesday 28th December from 4:30pm to 8:00pm and also in Clan na nGael G.A.A. Centre on Wednesday 21st December and Thursday 29th December from From 4:30pm to 8:00pm and Friday 30th December from 11:30pm to 3:00pm Please Note Days & Choice of Venues & Times Please Bring A Friend! For further details, please contact our lo-call Donor Information Line 1850 – 73 11 37.