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Donors give blood for
life
26.11.08
by Damian Dowds, Inishowen Independent
THE blood donor clinic rolls into Inishowen again
next week with clinics in Buncrana on Monday and
Tuesday and Carndonagh on Wednesday and Thursday.
And two local men will be celebrating significant
milestones. Retired Malin farmer Morell Colhoun will
be donating his 52nd unit of blood, while Moville
boat-builder and retained fire-fighter Bernard Barr
will be making his 50th donation.
Both men will receive ‘Gold Drop’ awards from the
Irish Blood Transfusion Service at a special
presentation ceremony next year. |
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“I was a bit afraid of
needles at the start,” Bernard Barr admitted, “but
after I gave blood for the first time and realised
how simple it is I just kept doing it. I look
forward to donating blood whenever the clinic comes
now, and I get annoyed with myself if I miss out
because I’m on holiday or something.” |
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“Everyone who can give
blood should consider doing it, God knows, the
hospitals need all the blood they can get.”
Morell Colhoun has been donating blood since 1971
and next week will give his 52nd unit – “one for
every week of the year,” he quipped.
“I heard they were coming and I just went to give it
a go,” he said. “I think it’s better to do something
like this when you’re able – it will definitely help
someone that needs it.”
Morell encourages everyone who’s able to give blood
to do so, and his son Terence is also a regular
donor.
“This is our last visit of the year to Inishowen and
it gives people the chance to donate blood before
Christmas,” said IBTS spokesman PJ Kelly. “I’d
encourage as many people as possible, particularly
those who have not donated before, to consider
donating blood next week – it could be the gift of a
lifetime.”
The Buncrana clinic will be in the Inishowen Gateway
Hotel and will be open from 6.30-9pm on Monday 1
December, and 2.30-5pm and 7-9pm on Tuesday 2
December.
The Carn clinic will be held in the Community School
from 3-5pm and 7-9.30pm on Wednesday 3 December, and
from 2-5pm and 7-9.30pm the following day.
Blood donations are accepted from healthy adults
aged 18-60, and up to 70 years in some cases. For
more information, see
www.giveblood.ie
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