Give blood today, says David Andrews

Mr Andrews, who holds a gold pin for giving blood regularly, is appealing to people around Ireland to go to the nearest blood donor clinic and offer to give blood.

"3,000 people need blood donations every week in Ireland, I'm proud to be a lifelong blood donor and I would call on anyone who has not given blood to do so today on World Blood Donor Day," said the Chairman of the Irish Red Cross, David Andrews.

All over the world today, people who have not given blood before and those who have not given blood for a long time are urged to present themselves at blood donor clinics. The process is painless and quick for those who give blood, while for people receiving blood it can mean the difference between life and death.

Blood is not just needed when people bleed heavily arising from accidents; many people, particularly children, live with serious conditions and without regular blood transfusions would be in great danger.

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has three permanent clinics. Two are in Dublin, one in the centre of the capital near O'Connell Bridge on d'Olier Street and one beside Stillorgan Shopping Centre, and one is in Cork City in St Finbarre's Hospital.

Mobile clinics are located around the country and further details on their exact locations are available by calling 1850 731 137 or by logging onto www.ibts.ie

The Irish Red Cross is pleased to support World Blood Donor Day, having established a bank of 7,000 donors. This panel later formed the basis for the formation of the IBTS. The Red Cross and Red Crescent Movement worldwide, comprising 181 national organisations that represent 100 million voluntary members, offers blood donor/transfusion services in many countries.

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