World Blood Donor Day

Today is World Blood Donor day so if you’ve been thinking about giving blood now for a while, today is the perfect day to get into gear and check out a blood donation clinic near you soon.

For many people, it’s not possible to give blood, and for others, it could be their first time to do it. But if you are fit and able, and are considering donating blood in the coming weeks, here are just some of the reasons your donation could make all the difference.

• Giving blood makes it possible for many people to lead normal, healthy lives. People require blood transfusions every day because they are undergoing surgery, recovering from a serious illness or have been in an accident.

• According to Giveblood.ie, 3000 donations are needed every week in Ireland

• Over 1000 people receive transfusions in Ireland every single week

• Currently only 3% of the Irish population give blood – providing blood for a population of over 4 million people

• Only 5% of those eligible to give blood do so.

• Giving blood takes only 8 – 15 minutes and 470ml is taken.

• A coronary artery bypass patient might require 1 – 5 units of blood, while a car accident victim might require up to 30 units of blood.

To help others and give blood, visit www.giveblood.ie.