06/09/2012
Thank You: 'Very Special' Blood Donors Have Saved Thousands Of Lives
Hundreds of people will be rewarded for their selfless actions giving blood at least 50 times each, tonight at the King's Hall.
216 donors in total have been invited to the Gold Award night.
It is estimated that they have saved at least 6,000 lives between them, and a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service said: "These are very special people".
Among the guests at the King's Hall tonight will be Jenny McGivern, her husband Fergus and their 18-month-old son Joseph.
Shortly after Joseph's birth Jenny haemorrhaged and became critically ill, and she would have died without blood and platelet donations.
She wants to think the blood donors in the audience and all those across Northern Ireland who give blood and save lives.
Paul McElkerney of the transfusion service said: "Gold awards have been very topical this summer but none are more important that the gold award these people have received for saving lives.
One behalf of all the patients whose lives have been saved I would like to say a big thank you and well done for your amazing achievement."
NIBTS is appealing for new blood donors to replace those who have had to stop due to age, ill health and other reasons.
Donating blood takes about 45 minutes out of a day, including registration, donating (just six or seven minutes), rest and refreshments.
There are nearly 1000 blood donation sessions a year at 240 locations - for more information see here.
(NE)
216 donors in total have been invited to the Gold Award night.
It is estimated that they have saved at least 6,000 lives between them, and a spokesman for the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service said: "These are very special people".
Among the guests at the King's Hall tonight will be Jenny McGivern, her husband Fergus and their 18-month-old son Joseph.
Shortly after Joseph's birth Jenny haemorrhaged and became critically ill, and she would have died without blood and platelet donations.
She wants to think the blood donors in the audience and all those across Northern Ireland who give blood and save lives.
Paul McElkerney of the transfusion service said: "Gold awards have been very topical this summer but none are more important that the gold award these people have received for saving lives.
One behalf of all the patients whose lives have been saved I would like to say a big thank you and well done for your amazing achievement."
NIBTS is appealing for new blood donors to replace those who have had to stop due to age, ill health and other reasons.
Donating blood takes about 45 minutes out of a day, including registration, donating (just six or seven minutes), rest and refreshments.
There are nearly 1000 blood donation sessions a year at 240 locations - for more information see here.
(NE)
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
28 November 2002
Patients warned after blood donor's CJD diagnosis
There are concerns that a small number of haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland and Scotland may have received blood products from a donor who later was diagnosed with variant Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (vCJD). Health agencies in Scotland have written to patients warning them that they may have been given treatments derived from the donor's blood.
Patients warned after blood donor's CJD diagnosis
There are concerns that a small number of haemophiliacs in Northern Ireland and Scotland may have received blood products from a donor who later was diagnosed with variant Creutzfeld-Jacob disease (vCJD). Health agencies in Scotland have written to patients warning them that they may have been given treatments derived from the donor's blood.
21 May 2024
Swann To 'Carefully Consider' New Infected Blood Inquiry Report
Health Minister Robin Swann has committed to "careful consideration" of the newly published final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry. The Inquiry was established by the UK government to examine the circumstances in which people treated by the national health service were given contaminated blood.
Swann To 'Carefully Consider' New Infected Blood Inquiry Report
Health Minister Robin Swann has committed to "careful consideration" of the newly published final report of the Infected Blood Inquiry. The Inquiry was established by the UK government to examine the circumstances in which people treated by the national health service were given contaminated blood.
02 November 2001
NIBTS appeal for 0-Negative blood donors
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) has issued an urgent appeal for O-Negative blood donors to come forward. Exceptionally high demand by hospitals dealing with emergency cases has depleted the stock of O-Negative blood held in the province.
NIBTS appeal for 0-Negative blood donors
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service (NIBTS) has issued an urgent appeal for O-Negative blood donors to come forward. Exceptionally high demand by hospitals dealing with emergency cases has depleted the stock of O-Negative blood held in the province.
14 June 2022
Call For Blood Donations Following Decline In Donors
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to come forward for blood donations, backing a call from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service's (NIBTS) appeal coincides with World Blood Donor Day and follows a decline in the number of new people giving blood.
Call For Blood Donations Following Decline In Donors
Health Minister Robin Swann has urged people to come forward for blood donations, backing a call from the Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service. The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service's (NIBTS) appeal coincides with World Blood Donor Day and follows a decline in the number of new people giving blood.
15 July 2022
Call For More Blood Donors After Supplies Lost At Belfast Trust
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service is urging for more blood donors to come forward after supplies were lost at the Belfast Trust. In a Twitter post NI Blood Transfusion Service said: "APPEALING to all our eligible donors to book an appointment this week and next week.
Call For More Blood Donors After Supplies Lost At Belfast Trust
The Northern Ireland Blood Transfusion Service is urging for more blood donors to come forward after supplies were lost at the Belfast Trust. In a Twitter post NI Blood Transfusion Service said: "APPEALING to all our eligible donors to book an appointment this week and next week.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.