The Irish Blood Transfusion Service has warned that hospitals face a crisis unless more people give blood.
Launching its annual report for 2003 today, the board said the number of blood donations fell by 5.8% last year.
Hospitals need 3,000 blood donations a week to carry out operations.
However, new restrictions on donors, in light of the CJD risk, means that 20% of people who come forward to give blood are not eligible to do so.
Demand for blood for the first few months of this year is also up by 6%.
