Why give blood?
We have all seen and heard the ads on TV and radio urging us to donate blood. But what is it all for?
Many people need donated blood to live a normal healthy life. Every week our hospitals need 3000 blood donations; about 1000 people need blood transfusion every week. Blood cannot be made; it can only come from people who are suitable and willing to donate. Children and adults in major accidents, patients with cancer and people undergoing serious operations all need blood. They need our blood.
Did you know that someone in a car accident could need between 3 and 30 units of blood to survive?
We donate blood because these people are part of our community; perhaps one day we will need it ourselves or a family member will need it.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Board operate mobile units which travel to local communities as well as having a clinic open in the grounds of St Finbarr’s Hospital from Monday to Thursday. The mobile unit was recently in Ballincollig GAA club and Eire Óg.
If you want to give blood you have to fill out forms about lifestyle and health. There are different forms for first time donors. Certain people are excluded from donating due to foreign travel, recent surgery or illness and sexual practices. After filling out the form you have a private consultation to go through the information and sign a declaration saying that the information is honest. Then you have a simple finger stick test of a drop of blood to ensure your haemoglobin is above 12.5; this will make sure you have sufficient levels of blood to donate and remain well. Then you are taken to a couch and your information is rechecked by another member of staff. They pop in a needle and the blood is drawing over 4 to 11 minutes only. They are ready and waiting with a cup of tea and a biscuit immediately afterwards!
The blood is checked for certain diseases and then it is used by hospitals in essential treatment.
If you are suitable to donate blood you can do so every 90 days.
All adults have about 10 to 12 pints of blood; (so you won’t miss one!). We all have a blood type and patients are only given a type that matches their own. The commonest blood type in Ireland is O positive, so many donations are needed of this type every week. O negative blood is very useful because it can be given to anyone; it is the “universal donor”. The rarest blood type is AB negative, only 1% of the population have this type. Despite us needing so many donations, only 3% of the population donate.
Let’s change that here in Cork; go to www.giveblood.ie or phone 1850731137 and become a donor today! It costs you nothing but time and it could save a life.
Dr Suzanne Kelly & Dr Joe Hartnett
The Grove Medical Centre, Ballincollig
