Local Blood Donors Honoured by Irish Blood Transfusion service

On Friday, 5th September, 200 blood and platelet donors from all walks of life were honoured at the IBTS Awards Ceremony in the Rochestown Park Hotel, Cork.Recipients were recognised for the remarkable milestone of donating either 50 or 100 units of blood — a commitment that can take decades to achieve.

The Chairperson of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, Deirdre Anne Barr, presented the awards, while the Rt. Honourable Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr. Margaret McDonnell, attended tocongratulate the donors who had travelled from across Munster.Guest speaker Sean O’Leary, from Kilcummin, Co. Kerry, spoke movingly about the impact of blood donation. Sean himself received 8 units of blood following a serious road traffic accident in July 2021, which left him with severe injuries and confined to a wheelchair.

Ciaran O’Connor, Crosshaven; Angela O’Sullivan, KInsale and James Brown, Ballygarvan pictured at a special award ceremony in the Rochestown Park Hotel Cork to mark donors who have given 50 and 100 times. Picture. John Allen

After multiple operations and a long recovery, Sean has worked hard to rebuild his life. Today, he is back playing football is grateful to the donors who made his recovery possible and determined to inspire others by sharing his story.Sean reminded the audience that the ceremony is not only about presenting awards, but about recognising the extraordinary generosity, kindness, and selflessness shown by blood and platelet donors.

Donor Services Manager, Julianne Kelly, emphasised the essential role of donors, saying: “Regular donors are the backbone of the IBTS. Without you, we simply could not provide hospitals across the country with the blood that patients so urgently need. Your generosity and selflessness have helped thousands of people throughout Ireland, and together, you have saved countless lives.”

Blood donation clinics are held in communities across Ireland, as well as at permanent clinics in Cork city and Dublin. Every week, the IBTS requires 3,000 units of blood to maintain a safe supply for patients in Irish hospitals.For more information, please visit www.giveblood.ie