The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is reminding people to donate blood over the Christmas period. Hospital demand is expected to rise again this month and the service is anxious to build up its supply before closing for the Christmas break.
IBTS has about eight and a half days' supply, but says it needs people to continue donating over the holidays.
"Blood has a shelf life of 35 days and 10 days' supply would be more comfortable," said Kieran Healy, IBTS donor services manager. "Our message is: give a special gift this Christmas, give the gift of blood. People can continue donating until Friday.
"However, the demand is still there in January and that's a month when people tend not to be great for donating blood. We'll be open for three days between Christmas and New Year and we really need people to come in then," he said.
Mr Healy said 20 per cent of the 3,500 people who present to give blood at IBTS clinics each week are ineligible. You need to be in good physical health to donate. As a result, he estimates that 2,500 people are needed between December 27th and 29th in order to meet demand.
Anyone giving blood for the first time must be 18-60 years of age. Regular donors can donate up to the age of 65, or 70 with clearance from their GP. However, there are a number of other criteria that must be fulfilled.
"A significant phenomenon is that of the SSIAs. For example, this year a lot of people may have gone Christmas shopping to the States. Unfortunately, people who have visited Canada, the United States or Mexico cannot give blood for 56 days. This is because of the West Nile virus, which is transmitted by mosquitoes and has killed a number of people in North America. For people who have travelled there recently, we would encourage them to come forward in the new year," said Mr Healy.
"Also with more people heading off on foreign and exotic holidays it's important to note that you must wait six months after travelling to a tropical country to give blood and one year after going to a malarial area," he said.
Although a donor can give blood up to once every 90 days, IBTS said only 1 per cent of its regular donors gave blood the maximum four times a year. The majority, 60 per cent, give just once a year, while 28 per cent donate twice a year, and 11 per cent give three times a year.
The IBTS fixed centres in Stillorgan, Cork and D'Olier Street in Dublin will close on the following dates: December 24th, 25th, 26th, 30th, 31st and January 1st.
Mobile clinics will be open in Bray, Co Wicklow; Ardee, Co Louth; Carlow town; and Tuam, Co Galway on December 27th, 28th and 29th. On December 27th there will be a clinic in Glanmire, Co Cork and in Castletroy, Co Limerick. Two more clinics will operate in Carrigtwohill, Co Cork and Ashkeaton, Co Limerick on December 28th.
For information: www.ibts.ie and 1850 731 137.