Help save a life.... donate blood at Dundalk clinics
A call has gone out for an increase in blood donors, with a number of clinics being held by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) in the Dundalk area next week.
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, yet a blood donation is just 470mls – less than one pint.
It’s important to remember that Our Lady of Lourdes Hospital, Drogheda required 2,711 units of blood in 2017 alone.
Although the IBTS are appealing to everyone to consider becoming a donor, there are some factors to consider.
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 fit these criteria and would like to help, there is an opportunity to give blood at the IBTS mobile clinic in Clan Na Gael G.A.A. Centre on Monday next, 26th November and Tuesday 27th November.
The IBTS will also be hosting a clinic in the Crowne Plaza Hotel on Wednesday 28th November and Thursday 29th November from 4:30pm to 8pm
For further information, contact the IBTS lo-call Donor Information Line on 1850 – 73 11 37 or check out their website www.giveblood.ie