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Urgent call for blood donors this summer

Urgent call for blood donors this summer

The shortage has raised concerns at local hospitals including Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, where pressure is mounting ahead of the busy autumn period. The IBTS has warned that unless the national stock is replenished quickly, non-urgent surgeries could be postponed.
Director of Donor Services at the IBTS, Paul McKinney, said the service needs an additional 2,000 donations over the next month to stabilise the supply. He pointed to summer holidays, heatwaves, and reduced donor clinic attendance as key factors behind the current dip. McKinney also encouraged more donors from diverse backgrounds to come forward, particularly individuals of African heritage, whose donations are essential for treating conditions like sickle-cell disease.
In Louth, there is a long-standing tradition of blood donation, and one local man, Brendan Kelly from Dundalk, was recently honoured for his contribution. A painter and decorator by trade, Mr Kelly has donated blood over 100 times and was awarded the Porcelain Pelican Award earlier this year at the North-East Donor Awards in Navan. 'I donate because I can,' he said. 'If just one pint helps someone in need, then it's worth it.'
The IBTS is encouraging people from all parts of the county to attend their nearest clinic, with appointments available throughout July and August. Donors must be aged between 18 and 64, weigh over 50kg, and meet standard health requirements. The process typically takes under an hour, and each donation can help save up to three lives.
Local organisers and health officials are urging first-time donors to step up and regular donors to continue giving through the summer months. With blood stocks at dangerously low levels, the message is simple: Louth needs donors now more than ever.
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Louth suicide prevention groups concerned at ‘worrying spike' in tragic deaths
Louth suicide prevention groups concerned at ‘worrying spike' in tragic deaths

Irish Independent

time4 days ago

  • Irish Independent

Louth suicide prevention groups concerned at ‘worrying spike' in tragic deaths

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We're a group of concerned citizens sitting in a room and saying we have this problem and what can we do to solve it.' 'We decided to so something to stop the devastation caused by suicide in the county.' SAFE Castlebellingham offers a confidential helpline that people can ring. 'It can be the person themselves or their family, their friends, their mates, their Mum, Dad, brother, sister, son, daughter. They can ring and say they are worried about someone who is in a bad place and we can tell them how to support that person. We will provide that counselling and we will pay for it.' The helpline is open from 8am to 8pm seven days a week and staffed by volunteers who are specially trained to deal with people with suicidal inclination. 'We don't miss calls and we talk to people in a sympathetic and empathetic way and tell them what we can do to help them. We have three qualified counsellors on our panel who can provide support until they access other services. 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How British children are MORE at risk from killer diseases than African nations we send £5bn foreign aid to
How British children are MORE at risk from killer diseases than African nations we send £5bn foreign aid to

The Irish Sun

time19-07-2025

  • The Irish Sun

How British children are MORE at risk from killer diseases than African nations we send £5bn foreign aid to

BRITISH children are more at risk from killer diseases than some poverty-stricken countries receiving taxpayer cash towards vaccine rollouts, The Sun on Sunday can reveal. NHS figures show that uptake here for the MMR jab, which protects against measles, mumps and rubella, has hit rock bottom. Advertisement 4 Uptake in Britain for the MMR jab has hit rock bottom Credit: Getty 4 In Hackney, East London, just 67.7 per cent have had their first shot of the measles vaccine by the age of two Credit: Darren Fletcher 4 The East African country of Eritrea boasts a 93 per cent rate for the first jab Credit: Getty In In the worst area, Hackney, East London, just 67.7 per cent have had their first shot by the age of two. Advertisement But official data for the East African country of Eritrea boasts a 93 per cent rate for the first jab. 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Urgent call for blood donors this summer
Urgent call for blood donors this summer

Irish Independent

time11-07-2025

  • Irish Independent

Urgent call for blood donors this summer

The shortage has raised concerns at local hospitals including Our Lady of Lourdes in Drogheda and Louth County Hospital in Dundalk, where pressure is mounting ahead of the busy autumn period. The IBTS has warned that unless the national stock is replenished quickly, non-urgent surgeries could be postponed. Director of Donor Services at the IBTS, Paul McKinney, said the service needs an additional 2,000 donations over the next month to stabilise the supply. He pointed to summer holidays, heatwaves, and reduced donor clinic attendance as key factors behind the current dip. McKinney also encouraged more donors from diverse backgrounds to come forward, particularly individuals of African heritage, whose donations are essential for treating conditions like sickle-cell disease. In Louth, there is a long-standing tradition of blood donation, and one local man, Brendan Kelly from Dundalk, was recently honoured for his contribution. A painter and decorator by trade, Mr Kelly has donated blood over 100 times and was awarded the Porcelain Pelican Award earlier this year at the North-East Donor Awards in Navan. 'I donate because I can,' he said. 'If just one pint helps someone in need, then it's worth it.' The IBTS is encouraging people from all parts of the county to attend their nearest clinic, with appointments available throughout July and August. Donors must be aged between 18 and 64, weigh over 50kg, and meet standard health requirements. The process typically takes under an hour, and each donation can help save up to three lives. Local organisers and health officials are urging first-time donors to step up and regular donors to continue giving through the summer months. With blood stocks at dangerously low levels, the message is simple: Louth needs donors now more than ever.

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