Blood Transfusion Service issues urgent donor appeal

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has issued an urgent appeal for people with RhD negative blood to donate.

Stocks are running particularly low for O negative blood, with supplies expected to fall below three days by tomorrow.

The Director of Donor Experience and Collections with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service has said the shortage of negative blood types is due to a drop-off in donations and an increase in the use of blood for surgeries.

Speaking on RTÉ's Morning Ireland, Sharon Ryan said O Negative is the universal donor type, which means it is used in many surgeries and procedures but only 7% of the population have this blood type.

Ms Ryan said only 3% of the eligible population donate blood, yet one in four of us will need donated blood at some point throughout our lifetime.

"This particular blood type can be under pressure because 8% of the population is O negative, yet it accounts for 16% of all of the blood that we issue. It’s the universal blood type.

"It's used in stem cell transplant emergencies. It's used for very small babies and for some blood disorders and that creates that supply and demand tension."

Ms Ryan said there has been reduced attendances at clinics during September, which has led to this particular challenge.

"We know September is a transition period for people with back-to-school, back-to-work activities happening and it's understandable that a voluntary activity like blood donation could drop down the priority list", she said.

Ms Ryan said that the IBTS is targeting as a priority the negative type blood donors, "but overall we're looking to boost our supply coming into October.

"We may face severe weather disruption, we may face illness, so we're looking for at least 500 extra people per week to come forward.

She said that there are clinics all around the country and she urged anyone who is eligible who has a negative type, A negative, B negative and in particular O negative, "if it's 90 days or more since your last donation, go on our website.

"Please get to a clinic if you can and check the eligibility quiz to make sure that you can donate this time. Any issues, making an appointment or if you need any help, they can call us on 1800 731 137.

"To people who are thinking about donating, please do come forward ... everybody makes a significant difference.

"People are doing something generous and meaningful and really important in terms of the supply."

Ms Ryan said the process of giving blood does not take more than 90 minutes.

"When we need a transfusion ... it will only be available because someone has taken the time out to do something unnecessarily, completely to give to others," she said.

"It's the kindness of strangers really and that's what we'd ask people to reflect on and think about," she added.