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Gerard Scannell from Mitchelstown being presented with a gold drop pin in recognition of 50 blood donations by Professor Anthony Staines, the Chair of the Board of the Irish Blood Transfusion Services.

Mitchelstown man, Gerard Scannell, was among the blood donors in Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork recently who was given a presentation in recognition of their blood donations.

Gerard has given more than 50 donations and there were others there who had donated more than 100 times, so it was a great opportunity to have their donations acknowledged and it also gave them the chance to get to know other donors through the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) event.

Gerard told The Avondhu, that his blood type is Rh O Negative and it would be used a lot for new born babies as it is a universal blood type and he urged anyone who can to donate blood as often as they can.

"My first donation of blood was in college back in the 1980s. My mother always gave blood in Rathcormac when we were young. I did not give blood for a number of years when working abroad, but since returning to Ireland, I give blood every three to four months," Gerard said.

He added that he would donate blood at the clinic that comes to The Firgrove Hotel in Mitchelstown or when he's at work, he would drop into the IBTS centre for Munster in St Finbarr's Hospital in Cork.

"When at St Finbarr’s, I am often told, 'They need this over at CUH, it will be going over by taxi late'," Gerard said, stressing the demand for blood donors. 

The need for blood donations was even more resonant with Gerard earlier this year, when his mother was admitted to the Mercy University Hospital in Cork with internal bleeding.

"While she was in the care of the excellent staff at The Mercy, she received two pints of blood. If she was not able to have a blood transfusion, I’m certain she would not be with us today," Gerard said.

He added that donating blood isn't an unpleasant experience and people can donate a pint of blood every 90 days.

Gerard urged people to give blood if they can, saying that there is an ever increasing demand for blood and plasma. "If you have not given blood, please consider it, it saves lives."

If you would like to give blood see http://www.giveblood.ie or phone 1850 731137 for more information.

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