The National Blood Transfusion Association at Pelican House in Dublin is seeking more blood donors.
Pelican House is opening an extra night clinic to meet the growing demand for blood and blood by-products.
Doctor JP O'Riordan, Medical Director at Pelican House points to the growing demand for blood, blood plasma, and blood fractions in recent years. As a result, the Blood Transfusion Association has increased its target from 950 donations per week to 1,000 donations, a target which will grow further in years to come.
The demand has also been pushed up by the advent of heart and lung surgery. Pelican House will now run three nightly clinics for the Dublin panel of blood donors.
According to Dr O'Riordan, there are around 150,000 blood donors in the country, who have given blood at some point but not necessarily every year.
Dr O'Riordan describes giving blood as a great act of charity.
They are able to give their blood for the benefit of others.
All donors must be between the ages of 18 and 65 and be of normal health.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 4 October 1963. The reporter is Mike Burns.
