merrion street

Minister for Health Simon Harris TD today  (Friday) marked World Blood Donor Day.

Since 2004, 14th June has been recognised as World Blood Donor Day by the World Health Organisation to raise awareness of the need for blood donation.  This year it is being hosted by Rwanda and the theme of the campaign is "Safe Blood for All".  

Minister Harris said:

On World Blood Donor Day, I want to acknowledge the generosity of blood donors and thank them for the contribution that they make to the Irish health service.  Every year about 1% of the population needs a blood transfusion and one in four of us will require blood at some point during our lives.  The Irish Blood Transfusion Service needs 3,000 blood donations every week to meet demand and the ready availability of this blood for transfusion is vital to the daily treatment of patients in our hospitals throughout the country.

The Minister thanked the staff of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service for maintaining the quality of the Blood Transfusion Service, which is of the highest standard, and also thanked the Board who are charged with guiding the organisation.

Minister Harris concluded by encouraging the public to donate blood.  The Minister said:

To ensure that the Irish Blood Transfusion Service maintains a supply to meet hospital demands over the Summer period, I am urging all blood donors, and those who would like to be blood donors, to visit their nearest clinic and to give blood.

For further information on donor eligibility and clinic venues nationwide, please visit the website www.giveblood.ie