Urgent call for blood donations as Ireland's supply of common types hits worrying low

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) is seeking donations "urgently" due to a dwindling supply of blood across Ireland. 

They released an appeal today (July 1) seeking 2,000 additional blood donations over the next four weeks to help replenish the national blood supply. 

The Director of Donor Services and Logistics at IBTS, Paul McKinney, told RTÉ that O- and B- are at just two days of supply despite a goal of seven days supply for each blood type. 

The supply of O+ blood type - needed by nearly half the Irish population - has reached a three day supply. 

An appeal on the official IBTS Facebook page lists upcoming clinics across the country, with a spokesperson urging people to "tag a friend" to help recruit new life saving blood donors. 

According to RTÉ, the service particularly urges people of African descent to become donors to help "diversify" the donor supply and to help treat people with sickle cell disease. 

Donors of African heritage are reportedly ten times more likely to have the Ro blood type needed to treat people with the disease. 

McKinney spoke to RTÉ's Morning Ireland about the high demand for blood since the June bank holiday weekend, and confirmed the service issued over 2,600 units of blood several weeks ago. 

He stated it was the "second-highest" weekly issue of blood in the last five years. 

You can check your donation eligibility on giveblood.ie.