Cork man: My grandson is the reason I give blood

Giving blood saves lives. It’s that simple.

The Irish Blood transfusion Service (IBTS) reports that only 3% of eligible Irish people give blood, which highlights the shortfall of donors.

One in four people reading this will need a blood transfusion during their lifetime.

Martina Courtney, from Skibbereen, Norah Butler, from Clondrohid, and Humphrey O’Leary, from Drimoleague West Cork, are all life-savers.

Humphrey knows better than most that donating blood can help save a life or ensure that a new life continues.

He is the proud owner of a porcelain drop lapel pin, given to people for donating 100 pints of blood.

“Everyone always has a reason why they donate blood,” says Humphrey.

He had a very good reason.

“Seven years ago, my son’s partner, Stephanie, was giving birth to her baby in Glasgow,” he says.

“The birth did not go according to plan, and she ended up having a caesarean section. During surgery an artery was punctured, and she ended up losing 90% of her blood.”

Fate intervened when it was discovered that both Humphrey and Stephanie share the same rare blood group.

“There was only so much of A minus blood in stock at the hospital,” says Humphrey.

“Stephanie was in intensive care, and her blood was not clotting. After some discussion and some thought as to taking the right direction, I donated my blood and my blood platelets to Stephanie.”

All’s well that ends well.

“My grandson Nico and his mother are both hake and hearty,” says Humphrey, who has a younger grandson, Tiernan.

Humphrey is another courageous blood donor, who doesn’t suffer from trypanophobia, (a fear of needles). He wants me to write about the benefits of donating blood.

“I tell everyone that they should donate blood,” says Humphrey.

“I tell them that I can donate blood until I am 70. And I will do that.

“There might come a day when everyone has their own reason to give blood. Just like I had.”

Are the unconverted listening to him?

Humprey smiles.

“You know, I work with 16 lads who don’t seem to realise how valuable giving blood is. I tell them to call in to St Finbarr’s hospital in Skibbereen and volunteer to donate a pint of blood. That is where I regularly go to give blood.”

The lads mean well.

“They say that they mean to go and donate blood, but that they had a big night out, or that they are too busy.”

Humphrey doesn’t buy that.

“I tell them donating blood takes less than an hour and it is a really good thing to do.”

He wears his heart on his sleeve.

“My grandson Nico is a great young lad. Now seven years old, he is loving school and loving life.”

Does Humphrey show his eldest grandson the impressive porcelain drop pin on his lapel?

“I show it to everyone!” he says.

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“I try to donate blood two or three times a year,” says Martina Courtney, who was among 200 long-term blood and platelet donors from Munster who were recognised for their support at an awards ceremony at Rochestown Park Hotel Cork.

“I would encourage anyone to give it a go. It doesn’t take long and is relatively pain-free.”

I tell Martina that, as a previous blood donor with O negative blood - representing 14% of the population - I used to dread the ‘prick on the finger’, that provided a sample of blood for testing to make sure it was safe. After giving 20 donations before I had to stop, getting the gold pelican lapel pin was a big thrill.

Martina laughs at my dislike of needles.

“Some people just don’t like them,” she says.

Luckily, Martina is not one of them.

“I don’t mind needles at all. As you know, giving blood is very rewarding,” she says.

“You will find out your blood group at your first blood donation visit and you will find out which hospital your blood goes to with each donation.

“It’s a good feeling to know that you are helping people across the country.”

Sean O’Leary, from Kerry, was one of the many fortunate people who received a blood transfusion that saved his life.

“Sean told us that he received eight units of blood after a road accident that left him with severe injuries,” says Martina.

“Hearing that was very moving and very inspiring.”

Knowing that she has helped save numerous lives must be very moving for Martina?

“Yes, it is,” says Martina, originally from Mayo, who began donating blood at 19 years old when she was in college in GMIT.

“I began giving blood at a relatively young age. It was something I wanted to do, and I continued to do over the years.”

She wears her gold-drop shaped lapel pin with pride.

“I would encourage others to think about donating blood. It takes less than an hour of your time. Everyone can afford that.”

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Norah Butler agrees with Martina. She too is the proud recipient of a gold-drop shaped lapel pin.

Her parents were proud blood donors too, realising that taking less than an hour out of their week to attend the blood bank clinic visiting their area helped save numerous lives.

“My parents, Dan and Sheila, were really before their time,” says Norah. “They realised the true value of donating blood.

“Whenever the blood bank came to Clondrohid, they made the effort to head down to the community hall and donate blood to the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

“My dad was delighted to be awarded the gold drop pin, and he continued to give blood all his life, until he couldn’t anymore.”

But his daughter could take on the mantle. And she did. Norah has donated 50 pints of blood to date.

“I was always aware as a young girl that both my parents were blood donors,” says Norah.

“So, for me, it seemed the right thing to do. When I turned 18, I donated my first pint of blood.”

She didn’t look when the needle went into her arm.

“No, I never looked!” says Norah laughing. “But once the needle was in, it was grand.

“Afterwards, you can sit for a while and enjoy a cup of tea and a chat with the familiar faces that come to the blood bank regularly.

“I suppose you could say I carried on the tradition of giving blood from my parents.”

Norah, like Martina, thoroughly enjoyed the recent awards ceremony for blood donors in Rochestown Park Hotel in Cork.

“It was great to be acknowledged, yes,” agrees Norah, who donates blood every three months if possible.

“And it was great to be inspired by other blood donors as well as blood recipients who were given blood transfusions during illness or after accidents.

Norah’s husband realises this and recognises this every day.

“My husband is a nurse and obviously he sees the need for blood day in, day out,” says Norah.

“On the radio, we often hear appeals for blood donors to go to their nearest blood bank clinic or hospital, as blood is very badly needed.

“They often cite the blood group most essentially needed at a particular time. Appeals like these make the public more aware that donating blood helps save lives.”

To be eligible to give blood in Ireland, you must be between 18 and 65 years old for your first time donating, weigh at least 50 kg (7 stone 12 lbs), and meet general health and safety criteria set by the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS).

After your first donation, you may continue to give blood at older ages if you remain fit, well, and meet other criteria, which can be checked using their online New Donor Eligibility Quiz or by calling 1800 731 137.

Pregnant women cannot give blood in Ireland, and for a period of 12 months following a pregnancy, which includes childbirth, miscarriage, or termination of pregnancy

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service, National Blood Centre is at St James St. Dublin 8 with a regional centre in Cork.