The Coombe calls on people to donate blood on World Blood Donor Day

Padraig Conlon 14 Jun 2021

Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital Haematology Laboratory. Pictured L-R: Claire Haran, Yewande Dosunmu, Niamh Byrne, Dr Catherine Flynn, Sonia Varadkar, Isabel Fitzsimmons, Fergus Guilfoyle, Michael Ryan.

Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital has called for people to donate blood at their local clinic this World Blood Donor Day, highlighting that maternity hospitals across Ireland rely on blood donations every day to care for mothers and babies.

Mothers and babies under the care of maternity hospitals may need an urgent blood transfusion, which can often save their lives.

Of the 7,423 women who delivered their babies at the Coombe in 2020, 218 (2.4%) required a blood transfusion.

Yewande Dosunme and Niamh Byrne checking on blood samples taken from women and babies in the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital Haematology Laboratory.

Speaking ahead of World Blood Donor Day 2021, Midwife and Haemovigilance Officer at the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Sonia Varadkar said:

“At the Coombe we would like to say a special thank you to all blood donors across Ireland. Donated blood received at the Coombe is a vital resource that is used for sick and premature babies and women every week.

“The blood that we receive from Irish Blood Transfusion Service helps us provide excellent, sometimes life-saving care to the women and babies at the Coombe.

“We would like to take this opportunity to encourage people to donate blood as often as possible so that we can continue to provide this crucial care.”

Master of the Coombe Women & Infants University Hospital, Professor Michael O’Connell said:

“This World Blood Donor Day, we at the Coombe wish to celebrate all of the really special people who donate blood every year.

“Even after a very difficult year due to Covid-19, people all around Ireland have continued to donate blood as often as possible in a bid to save lives and keep others safe.

“We are so grateful to these people, as we see every day how vital their donations are, for both new born babies and new mums, some of whom will need transfusions while they are in the Hospital.

“We strongly encourage everyone who can donate blood to do so at their local clinic.”

The World Blood Donor Day 2021 slogan is “Give blood and keep the World beating”. This year’s campaign aims to: