Irish Blood Transfusion Service Seeks Donors to Restore National Blood Supply to Seven Days

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has issued an urgent appeal for donor support to replenish the national blood supply, aiming to restore it to a seven-day stock level. Currently, the service reports its supply is critically low, at less than three days, with a notable decrease in appointment bookings.

A text message disseminated to donors specified a critical need to collect 1,500 units of blood at the IBTS D’Olier Street clinic within the two weeks surrounding the June Bank Holiday. Mirenda O’Donovan, a spokeswoman for the IBTS, attributed the shortfall to increased public activity in May, including midterm breaks, communions, confirmations, exam season, the onset of the holiday season, and favorable weather conditions. She noted that despite these factors, demand for blood did not decrease, leading to a significant “mismatch” between supply and need.

Last month, the national supply reached its lowest point this year, with just over a two-day supply of O positive blood. O positive and A positive blood types collectively account for 75 percent of patient profiles in Irish hospitals. O’Donovan emphasized that managing demand and shortages is an inherent aspect of their operations, with donor availability often fluctuating seasonally. To counteract potential dips around bank holidays, the IBTS typically schedules additional Sunday clinics the week before and after such periods to help maintain supply levels.

Despite only 3 percent of the population being active blood donors, it is estimated that one in four individuals will require a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. The IBTS requires over 3,200 units of blood weekly to sustain the national supply. O’Donovan confirmed that while no broader public appeal is planned, the IBTS is rigorously monitoring current supply levels. Individuals interested in donating blood can schedule an appointment by calling 1800 731137 or visiting giveblood.ie.