Image: Maxwells
The theme of this year’s World Blood Donor Day (WBDD) is “20 years of celebrating giving.” As WBDD marks its 20th anniversary, it provides an excellent and timely opportunity to thank blood donors worldwide for their life-saving contributions and honour the profound impact these donations have on both patients and donors. To celebrate this milestone, iconic buildings and landmark sites in Dublin and across Ireland will “go RED” on 14th June 2024.
WBDD, an initiative by the World Health Organisation, promotes voluntary, unpaid blood donation globally. Over the last two decades, World Blood Donor Day has focused attention on the critical need for safe blood for patients worldwide. The summer period is particularly challenging for blood transfusion services due to a decline in clinic attendance during these months. This year, the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) has set a target of recruiting 15,000 new donors in 2024 to expand the current donor base.
“World Blood Donor Day is also an opportunity for us to say a huge thank you to all of those donors who make a safe blood supply possible,” said Stephen Cousins, National Donor Services Manager.
The IBTS needs to collect approximately 3,000 donations each week to maintain the national blood supply. Astonishingly, one in four people will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime, highlighting the vital importance of maintaining a robust blood donation system. Blood donations have a limited shelf life, lasting just 35 days, which underscores the continuous need for new donors.
The most common blood group in Ireland is O positive, making it the most in-demand type. However, O negative, the universal blood group, represents only 8% of the population but accounts for up to 15% of all blood issued to hospitals.
Buildings Going Red for World Blood Donor Day
The following buildings and landmarks in Dublin and beyond will be illuminated in red to mark World Blood Donor Day:
- Aras Mac Dhiarmada, Store Street North Wall, Dublin
- Casino Marino, Malahide Road, Dublin
- City Hall, Dame Street, Dublin
- Collins Barracks, Benburb Street, Dublin
- National Convention Centre, Spencer Dock, Dublin
- Department of Health, Block 1 Miesian Plaza, 50-58 Lower, Dublin
- Dept. of Education, Marlborough Street, Dublin
- Dublin Airport, Swords, Dublin
- Dublin Castle Bedford Tower, Dame Street, Dublin
- Dublin City Council Office, Wood Quay, Dublin
- Dundalk Stadium, Dundalk
- Enterprise, Trade and Employment, Kildare Street, Dublin
- Farmleigh (Water Tower), Phoenix Park, Dublin
- Four Courts, Inns Quay, Dublin
- GPO, O’Connell Street, Dublin
- Kilkenny Castle, Kilkenny
- LaFayette House, D’Olier Street, Dublin
- Leinster House, Kildare Street, Dublin
- Mansion House, Dawson Street, Dublin
- Limerick City & County Council Building, Merchants Quay, Limerick
- Millennium Centre Dundalk, Louth County Council quarters, Dundalk
- National Blood Centre, James’s Street, Dublin
- National Library, Kildare Street, Dublin
- Phoenix Park Roundabout, Phoenix Park, Dublin
- Rock of Cashel, Tipperary
- St Stephen Green – Wolfe Tone Monument, Stephen’s Green, Dublin
- Town Hall Dundalk, Louth County Council quarters, Dundalk