Meath Donors: (back row from left): Barry Leahy, Brian Gunning, Thomas McHugh (100 Time Donor), Brian O’Neill, Cathal O’Reilly, John Conaty (100 Time Donor)Front Row (from left):Stephen Cogavin, Susan McCabe, Anne Travers, Pauline Egan, Breeda Kinsella (100 Time Donor), Rosita Sheehy (100 Time Donor), James Coyle, Ian Hannon, Joe McKeever, Dean Gough, Christy Monaghan (100 Time Donor), Donal Finnegan.

Pure Gold... Meath blood donors honoured after reaching major donation milestones

Noelle Finegan

Published: Fri 5 Jun 2026, 10:02 AM

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) recently held its annual Gold Drop and Porcelain Pelican Awards Ceremony for the North-East/Midlands region in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan.

Eighty-two 50 time Donors received their 'Gold Drop' and seventeen 100-time Donors received their 'Porcelain Pelicans' at the ceremony. Donors and their guests attended from counties, Cavan, North County Dublin, Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath.

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager for the Ardee Centre was MC for the ceremony and welcomed everyone including board members of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and congratulated all the donors on their significant achievements. Chief Executive Officer Orla O’Brien thanked donors from the bottom of her heart stating that donating 50 times is quite an achievement but donating 100 times is "awe inspiring".

"It is lovely to personally meet the donors who without their help could not benefit the many people in our hospitals every day in Ireland," said Ms O'Brien who presented each of the 50 time donors with their Gold Drop awards and the Porcelain Pelicans to the 100 time donors.

Ms Emma Gilbey spoke on behalf of her family and thanked all the donors present from the bottom of her heart. Emma received blood before and throughout the four hours of emergency surgery that followed during the birth of her son Charlie. Fourteen-year-old Charlie also took to the podium and thanked donors for saving his Mum’s life receiving a huge round of applause from the audience.

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager delivered the closing address. He thanked all the donors on their fantastic accomplishment of donating 50 and 100 times saying this requires significant dedication and that they are truly inspiring. Iosif also thanked Emma for sharing her powerful story and reminding us all why blood donations are always required.

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