Urgent call for blood donations as IBTS only has a 3-day supply left

Would you be willing to give blood?

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is urging people to donate blood as it only has a short supply left. Taking to Twitter this afternoon, the service said that it only has a 3 day supply in all areas, and in two days, its O negative supply will be gone. It has asked people to check online to see where their nearest donation center is, and all details about giving blood can be found here. In a statement, the transfusion service said: “The national blood supply has been severely depleted over the last week as we have been unable to hold clinics, but we have continued to supply hospitals.

CALLING ALL BLOOD DONORS: If you can #giveblood this week please do - we are running low on all types as we have just 3 days supply on average across all groups and just 2 days in O negative! All clinic details can be found in the link. PLS SHARE https://t.co/o2DIDsI6Ve pic.twitter.com/d8Nze3LSGd

— Giveblood (@Giveblood_ie) March 6, 2018

"As of this morning, we have just 3 days supply on average across all groups and just 2 days in O negative.  We will be unable to guarantee supply to hospitals unless there is a significant increase in donations over the coming weeks to make up the shortfall," said IBTS Operations Director Paul McKinney. “In addition to normal clinics, the IBTS is running 4 additional Sunday clinics on 11th March, these are in Waterford city, Drogheda, County Louth and Celbridge, County Kildare and Doon, Co Limerick.” If you have never given blood, or want to find out more, the IBTS website reads: "An illness or injury, however minor, may mean it is not safe to give your blood to a sick patient. "Certain medications can also be harmful to patients. Therefore it is important that you are well and healthy when you come to donate blood.  Recent travel may also mean that you may not be eligible to donate. "When you attend a clinic you will have an opportunity to speak in confidence with a nurse but if you have any queries in relation to your health or travel history you can contact the IBTS Donorline at 1850 731 137." All clinics can be found here.