This article is from page 15 of the 2006-09-19 edition of The Clare People. OCR mistakes are to be expected so download the original SWF or the rendered page 15 JPG
A TOTAL of 17 generous people from the Banner county have been honoured for their contribution to saving hundreds of lives.
The 15 Clare men and two women were presented with donor awards from the Irish Blood Transfusion Service on Friday, as each had donated blood more than 50 times.
Donating blood makes it possible for many people to lead normal, healthy lives. Every year, thousands of patients require blood transfusions in hospitals, because they are undergoing surgery, recovering from cancer or have been in a serious accident.
Among the reasons given for these Clare people’s generosity is the benefit a transfusion has been to a family member or a friend.
For many, they were following on a family tradition as their parents were donors. For others, they simply wanted to give something back to the community.
Donors must be over 18 years of age, weigh over seven stone 12 lbs (50kgs) and be fit and healthy.
People are deferred from donating for a short period of time if they are on medication or have a cold. Those who have lived in the UK for more than one year between 1980 and 1996 cannot donate.