Speech at Irish Blood Transfusion Service Donor Awards Ceremony
Crowne Plaza Hotel, Santry, Dublin 9, 10 June 2016
I am delighted to be here this evening for this special occasion during which we mark the forthcoming World Blood Donor Day, and honour some remarkable citizens who have achieved the impressive milestone of one hundred blood or platelet donations.
Worryingly, while an estimated one in four of us will require a blood transfusion at some stage in our lives, just three per cent of our eligible population volunteer to donate blood. Events such as this evening’s award ceremony are a valuable opportunity to increase public awareness of the importance of blood donation and to inspire more people to become regular donors.
It is also a reminder of how important it is that as a society we recognise the enormous contribution made by blood and platelets donors to the functioning of our health service. I am grateful to have the opportunity to do so personally this evening.
A constant supply of blood and platelets for transfusion is a vital component of a functioning health service. Blood and platelets are used in the treatment of a wide range of diseases and conditions, and it is crucial to the health and well-being of our population that an adequate supply of safe blood and platelets are readily available.
I am delighted that this year’s World Blood Donor Day will focus on thanking blood donors who save lives every day through their blood donations and will strongly encourage more people all over the world to donate blood voluntarily and regularly. World Blood Donor Day also, of course, has a continuing objective to focus national efforts on improving the safety and adequacy of national blood supplies by promoting an increase in the number of safe, voluntary, non-remunerated donors who give blood regularly.
Tá ráite ag an Eagraíocht Dhomhanda Sláinte gurb iad na deontóirí fola is sláine ná saorálaithe nach iachtar ar a gcuid fola agus a bhfuil ina gcuid de phobal íseal-riosca; agus tá súil acu go mbeidh gach tír in ann soláthar fola a fháil ó dheontóirí nach iachtar faoi 2020.
The World Health Organisation has stated that the safest blood donors are such voluntary, non-remunerated blood donors from low-risk populations; and their goal is for all countries to obtain all blood supplies from voluntary unpaid donors by 2020.
Here in Ireland we are fortunate to be amongst the sixty two countries worldwide that collects 100% of its blood supply from voluntary, unpaid donors. That is good news but also a strong reminder of how dependent we are on those citizens who generously come forward to donate their blood. We should be particularly grateful to those who donate regularly, helping to ensure an adequate and reliable supply of safe blood through a stable base of donors.
Every day, in hospitals around this country, blood transfusions help to save the lives of critically ill or injured people and to treat those suffering from serious or debilitating conditions. When we reflect on the fact that every donation has the potential to help three such people, we can only be deeply impressed at the profound impact our donors here today have made on the lives of so many fellow citizens.
The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day is “Blood Connects Us All”. Today’s event reminds us of the importance of voluntary blood donation, and of the invisible bond it creates between one citizen and another. Indeed, it is that very anonymity that marks out blood and platelet donors, who give without any thought of gratitude or reward; and with no knowledge of who will benefit from their great act of generosity. That is a genuine spirit of citizenship, a spirit which must lie at the very heart of true democracy.
That is not to say, of course, that those who benefit from the altruism of donors are not deeply grateful for the great gift they have received; that they do not silently thank the kind stranger who has helped them in a time of great need. Indeed I believe you will hear, later this evening, of the experience of one of the many people to whom the donating of blood and platelets can make such a vital and life enhancing difference.
This evening I would like to take the opportunity to pay tribute to the work of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, originally known as the National Blood Transfusion Association. For over sixty years, the IBTS has provided an essential service, meeting many challenges in a rapidly changing world and in an increasingly complex medical environment. You work tirelessly, and with great commitment to providing a vital public service for the thousands of citizens in Ireland who require a blood transfusion each year.
I commend you also on your dedication to building supportive partnerships with organisations and businesses around the country in order to reach into communities and encourage and facilitate eligible citizens to donate blood and platelets. For instance, I know you have established important links with GAA Clubs and with Macra na Feirme to enable greater awareness of the importance of donation. Many members of the Irish business community have also played an important role in facilitating and promoting blood and platelet donations; including your main corporate partner Vodafone Ireland who provide you with one million free texts every year.
Is mór an adrú croí a thugann an spiorad comhpháirtíochta sin agus is sampla íontach é den méid gur féidir a bhaint amach nuair a thagann earnálacha éagsúla den sochaí le chéile chun comhsprioc a bhaint amach.
That spirit of partnership is very uplifting and a great example of what can be achieved when different sectors of society come together, sharing and pooling their strengths in pursuit of a common goal.
In conclusion, may I congratulate and thank all the award recipients here today. I know that it takes many years to reach the milestone of 100 blood or platelet donations and your presence here today signifies the real depth of your generosity. You are, indeed, citizens of whom we can be very proud indeed.
Go raibh mile maith agaibh go léir.
