IBTS needs more platelet donors
Platelets are needed every day for the treatment of patients with cancer, leukaemia, premature babies, major surgery, burns patients, accident victims who have had extensive injury and new born babies.
However, platelets have the shortest shelf life of all blood components, lasting only 7 days. This means we have a constant need for platelet donors to ensure we meet the needs of these patients.
Why are life saving platelets needed?
Over 24,000 platelet transfusions are needed every year in Ireland. The IBTS need every blood group every single day. Many of Ireland's patients rely on platelets, so it is important supplies are constantly replenished.
Platelets are essential to enable blood to clot properly and are a component of blood. Patients who do not have enough platelets in their blood are at risk of spontaneous bleeding.
How do I know if I can give platelets? To find out if you are able to donate platelets take the eligibility quiz on www.giveblood.ie and fill in the online application form.
There are two platelet clinics in Ireland. One is the National Blood Centre on James Street, Dublin 8. The other is the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre at St Finbarr’s Hospital, Douglas Road, Cork.
Meet Fiona and James who donate in Cork:
Fiona and James are platelet donors at the Munster Regional Transfusion Centre, Douglas. Fiona is from Limerick and James is from Kilkenny and they are living in Douglas.
They met in college where they were doing the same course in pharmaceuticals. They started donating platelets because the clinic was close to them in Douglas and then a family friend needed platelets during cancer treatment, so they decided to become regular donors.
They would encourage people to become donors as it is easy and only takes two hours to donate. They know their platelet donation is going to someone who really needs it. The platelet team would like to congratulate Fiona and James who are getting married soon!
Call 01-4322833 (Dublin) or 021-4807429 (Cork) to speak to one of the staff about giving platelets.