Off The Ball are delighted to partner with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service for the "Every One Counts" campaign, to raise awareness of the need for people to donate blood!
It’s the new year – you can help save a life with your resolution to give blood with the IBTS!
In that vein, we are on a drive to see how many blood puns we can fit into a sentence. OK, that's quite enough, let's cut to the hard cell*:
1 in 4 of us will need a blood transfusion in our lifetime. We all know someone that has found themselves in need of urgent care, and blood transfusions are a vital part of this process.
67% of all blood donations go to cancer patients who get transfusions as part of their treatment, 27% of blood is used in surgery and emergency room situations, 6% of blood is used for treatment of new-born babies and birth complications.
OffTheBall.com are asking our readers and listeners to check their eligibility below and find a clinic to help save a life!
Your community needs YOU!
The goal of the IBTS is to get more conversations happening in everyday life about blood donation and why it’s such an important habit to start, continue and encourage in others. When you give blood you really do help another person who is struggling with ill health or who has had a serious accident.
You might not be able to attend your local clinic every time it comes to your town, but it’s really important to think about becoming a regular blood donor.
All the blood used in Irish hospitals every day comes from Irish resident donors and as blood only last maximum 35 days and cannot be frozen, IBTS needs 3000 units of blood donated every week to keep up with demand so it’s so important to give blood as every drop from every donation matters.
Send us your stories, and you could find yourself on air!
As part of 'Every One Counts', OffTheBall.com want to hear about stories from you, your family or your friends about how blood transfusions helped you.
Contact us at [email protected] with the heading 'Every One Counts' and we will aim to be in touch to cover your story in depth!
Did you know?
Only 3% of the eligible Irish population give blood, and blood is required every day of the year.
The IBTS are looking particularly for men aged 35+ in their drive for blood donations!
Most regular donors can give blood after exercise once well hydrated, well rested and have tolerated previous donations without any ill effects.
You cannot give blood if you are planning exercise afterwards that day or for 2 weeks before or after extreme exercise, e.g. marathon, triathlon.
If you have any queries on this check at clinic or give the donor query line a call beforehand on 1850 731 137
Check your eligibility & find your clinic:
* Check your eligibility by doing the Giveblood.ie quick eligibility quiz https://www.giveblood.ie/Can-I-Give-Blood/Blood-Eligibility-Quiz/
* Find out where your local clinic is or register your interest in the link below https://www.giveblood.ie/Find-a-Clinic/
For more information, check out:
https://www.facebook.com/giveblood
https://twitter.com/Giveblood_ie
This new year’s resolution will mean someone has a much easier 2019, and many years to come!
*Sorry
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