Medical experts have appealed to members of the public to give blood over the coming days as supplies are in danger of reaching critically low levels during the Easter holidays.
Dr Ronan Desmond, a consultant haematologist at Tallaght hospital, said supply levels for some of the most commonly used blood groups were down to four or five days worth.
New tests which measure iron deficiency much more accurately mean that far greater numbers of donors are being excluded from supplying blood.
In addition, the extended St Patrick’s Day and Easter holiday period has raised fears that supplies may drop further over the coming weeks.
“It really is a big issue,” Dr Desmond said. “If more donors don’t volunteer blood, the implications for blood supply are huge.
“If we do run out, we’re going to have to look abroad for supplies. This is something we’ve only ever done for very rare blood groups.
“At the moment it is unlikely,” he added, “but we are running much closer than we are comfortable with.”
He said regular clinics would be open this week, while mobile clinics would be available this Sunday in Raheny, Dublin; Carrickmacross, Co Monaghan; Aherlow, Co Tipperary; Carrigaline, Co Cork, and Waterford.
Potential donors
While until recently one in seven potential donors was excluded on the basis of low haemoglobin levels – the element of blood that carries iron – a more accurate test has increased these numbers to one in four.
Dr Desmond said a good blood supply was vital for patients undergoing cancer treatment such as chemotherapy, as well as patients involved in surgery.
On of them is Niall Merriman, who said he owed his life to a healthy blood supply.
Two years ago, Mr Merriman, a father of three from Lucan, Co Dublin, was struck down by a rare flesh-eating bacteria which left him fighting to stay alive.
“I am living proof that when people donate blood, it saves lives,” he said.
Initially diagnosed by a doctors with a sprain in his arm, a medic in Blanchardstown suspected it was necrotising fasciitis, a rare condition which can progress rapidly.
Doctors were forced to amputate his arm and, later, his shoulder to try to prevent the bacteria s from spreading to the rest of his body.
They eventually stopped cutting away tissue and muscle just short of his ear.
“I needed about 60 pints of blood in the surgery,” he said. “I’m told it was enough to fill a normal person three times over.”
Complications after surgery saw him admitted to other hospitals.
In each case, he added, the swift action of doctors and the availability of blood meant he pulled through.
Back to work
Today, he is back to his job as an IT manager with
Bank of Ireland
. He is learning how to perform tasks such as cooking and driving with one hand.
It is a challenge, but his overwhelming feeling is gratitude at being back with his wife Nicola and three boys, who range in age from five to eight years of age.
“I would just say to anyone, please get out there and give blood,” Mr Merriman said.
“It goes to a very worthy cause. It makes a huge difference to people’s lives. And it has saved people like me.”
