Blood donors from across Donegal were recognised for their impressive gift to others last Friday at the Irish Blood Transfusion Service Donor Awards.
A ceremony was held in the Radisson Blu Hotel Letterkenny to honour the remarkable people who have achieved a milestone of blood donations. Some donors had given blood 50 times, while others had made 100 contributions.
Linda Hickey, Chairperson of the Board of the IBTS thanked the donors for their dedication on behalf of all patients. She presented Gold Pins to those who have made 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100-time donors.
The Donor Awards Dinner was a chance for the organisation to thank donors for the enormous contribution they give to the health service, which needs 3,000 donors every week, and to inspire more people to become regular donors.
One in four people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives. However, just three per cent of those who are eligible to donate blood will volunteer to do so.
It takes many years and many visits to transfusion clinics to build up 50 and 100 donations, so Friday’s awards was a proud moment for many generous local donors and their families.
See photos below, by Clive Wasson Photography:
Donors Ivan Farrell and Fergal McAllister from Donegal Town with Linda Hickey, IBTS Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service). Ivan, a 100 unit donor, brought Fergal along to donate his first unit and Fergal has now donated 50 units. Photo Clive Wasson
Cousins, Damien Friel and Brian Gallagher from Raphoe with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny on Friday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Letterkenny Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS, who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny on Friday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Ballyshannon Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations. Front from left are Virginia Loughlin, Linda Hickey, Chairperson IBTS and Caroline Lally. Back from left Frances Hersey and Seamus McPhelim. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Carndonagh Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations. Front from left are Mary Gillen, Linda Hickey, Chairperson IBTS and Bernadette Skinnader. Back from left Laurence Doherty, Chris Friel, Barry Doherty and Philip Hirrell. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Killybegs Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations. Front from left are Margaret Cunningham, Linda Hickey, Chairperson IBTS and Peter Connachton. Back from left Andrew Doherty, Niall Bourke and Sean Haughey. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Buncrana Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations. Front from left are Phyllis Carter, Linda Hickey, Chairperson IBTS and Rosaleen McLaughlin. Back from left Elizabeth Doherty, John Harkin and Eileen McLaughlin. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Dungloe Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service). From left are Donna Joyce, Eoin Coyle and Bridie McCole. Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Ballybofey Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny on Friday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
Donor Willie Cassey from Leitrm with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS . Photo Clive Wasson
Donors from the Donegal Town Area with Linda Hickey, Chairperson (Irish Blood Transfusion Service) IBTS who received Gold Pins for 50 donations and Porcelain Pelicans for 100 donations in the Radisson Hotel Letterkenny on Friday night last. Photo Clive Wasson
