200 blood and platelet donors were honoured at an awards ceremony in Rochestown on Friday.

The donors, who come from all walks of life, were in attendance for the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) Awards ceremony in the Rochestown Park Hotel on September 5.

Recipients were celebrated for reaching the incredible milestone of donating either 50 or 100 units of blood, which can take decades to achieve.

The Chairperson of IBTS, Deirdre Anne Barr, presented the awards, while the honourable Deputy Lord Mayor of Cork, Cllr Margaret McDonnell, attended to congratulate the donors who had travelled from across Munster.

Guest speaker Sean O'Leary, from Kilcummin in Kerry, spoke movingly about how donated blood aided his recovery from injuries sustained from a serious road traffic accident.

Mr O'Leary received eight units of blood following the serious accident in July 2021, and he is confined to a wheelchair but continues to rebuild his life.

The Kerry man reminded the audience that the ceremony is not only about presenting awards, but about recognising the extraordinary generosity, kindness, and selflessness shown by blood and platelet donors.

Donor Services Manager, Julianne Kelly, emphasised the essential role of donors, saying:

"Regular donors are the backbone of the IBTS. Without you, we simply could not provide hospitals across the country with the blood that patients so urgently need.

"Your generosity and selflessness have helped thousands of people throughout Ireland, and together, you have saved countless lives," Ms Kelly said.

Blood donation clinics are held in communities across Ireland, as well as at permanent clinics in Cork city and Dublin.

Every week, the IBTS requires 3,000 units of blood to maintain a safe supply for patients in Irish hospitals.