Veteran blood donors given awards at Kells ceremony
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) held its annual gold drop and porcelain pelican awards ceremony for the north-east region in the Headfort Arms Hotel, Kells, recently. Eighty donors who had given blood 50 times received their gold drop and two 100-time donors received their porcelain pelicans at the ceremony. Donors attended from counties Meath, Cavan, Monaghan, Louth, Westmeath, north County Dublin, Kildare and Longford. John Healy, IBTS area manager, opened the ceremony by welcoming everyone and congratulating all the donors on their significant achievements. Andy Kelly, chief executive of the IBTS, followed by thanking guests, board members and RTE newsreader Sharon Ní Bheolain for attending. He said Ms Ní Bheolain had been a wonderful ambassador for the IBTS and this was the fifth year she has presented awards to donors in the north-east region. Ms Ni Bheolain said it was a great privilege and these celebrations hold a special place in her diary. There was great applause for the 100-time donors, Geoffrey Long, Kildare, and Eamon O'Reilly, Cavan. Local voluntary organiser, Mary Nolan from Kilcock, told her moving story on behalf of her late husband who, along with her son, received numerous blood transfusions. She told those present that her husband, Robert Nolan, was able to live a life he would not have had without their assistance. Paddy Bowler, director of operations with the IBTS National Blood Centre, paid tribute to the local voluntary organisers, the Red Cross, the Order of Malta, Na Cailíní in Ballybay, Civil Defence, ICA, scouts and the many individuals who organise, promote and assist the work of the IBTS in the community. He also recognised and thanked the efforts of the Ardee team who deployed in treacherous weather conditions during the heavy snow earlier in the year and worked effortlessly to open the clinics for donors, helping to maintain the blood supply. A presentation of Waterford crystal was made to Annemarie McSweeney, retiring local voluntary organiser for Trim who willingly gave so much time and effort to build donations in the Trim area over a 26-year period. There was a PowerPoint photo shown of donor, Paul O'Connor and his fiancé, Margaret Eyres, marking the 200,000 donation in March - 10 years to the date the Ardee centre opened to service the north-east Midlands area.