Stephen Rice: 'I have seen first hand the incredible benefits and improvement in quality of life of people who receive blood donations.'

It may be the start of preseason for League of Ireland clubs around the country but that doesn’t mean you have to wait for games to show your support for the league.

Since 2015, giveblood.ie have sponsored the FAI Referees Association and their message has been prominently displayed on referee jerseys as well as encouraging blood donation at club level.

The IBTS needs to collect 3,000 units of blood every week to maintain the national blood supply and Republic of Ireland chief scout and opposition analyst Stephen Rice, himself an IBTS ambassador, is asking people for their help.

Currently 3% of the general population donate blood regularly and, speaking to extratime.com, the former Shamrock Rovers and Longford Town midfielder expressed his support to the call for more blood donations.

Rice said "The importance of donating can’t be underestimated even in normal times however now with Covid-19 it has become critical. I have seen first hand the incredible benefits and improvement in quality of life of people who receive blood donations. I would encourage everyone to to take the time to donate blood in 2022"

Currently the IBTS have less than a week’s supply of O, A and B- blood type and have imported blood from the NHSBT for the second time this year. Speaking in December, Medical & Scientific Director, Professor Stephen Field gave the following message.

“In recent weeks appointment cancellations and the high level of COVID-19 circulating in the community has made it difficult to fill all of our donation appointments. This means that for the last number of weeks we have been issuing more blood to hospitals than we have been able to collect. This trend is being encountered by most blood services internationally. 

“Stocks of the main Rh negative blood groups are under particular pressure, especially O negative which is considered the universal blood group and is always in demand.  

“It has been a very tough couple of years for everyone but as hospital demand remains strong right up to Christmas, the demand for blood is as great as ever and we are urging donors to make an appointment to give blood.  If you receive a text message from us, please respond to the number provided to make an appointment”.

See www.giveblood.ie for details of clinics in your area.

Another clean sheet for Gavin Bazunu as supporter medical emergency meant 27 minutes of injury time https://t.co/nVw7r9guY0pic.twitter.com/KL9NmDYe4T

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) January 3, 2022