Our ambition is to gain a deeper understanding of the dynamics of the donation and donor welfare through behavioural scientific and sociological research.

Donor Iron Management

• Evidence-based iron level assessment at donation to maximise donor welfare

Key Findings

• Repeated donation can deplete iron stores and our results support the value of serum ferritin measurement in donor iron management.
  • THE HIDDEN IMPACT OF REPEATED DONATION: Haemoglobin and Ferritin Iron levels in Irish Blood donors
    Allison Waters, Dearbhla Butler, Maha Islam, Liam Burke, Dermot Coyne, Tor Hervig. - Oral Presentation ISBT 2023

Expanding and Diversifying our Donor Base

• Expanding and diversifying our donor base will maximise our ability to 'best' match donated blood with transfusion recipients

Key Findings

• Focus groups and surveys determined that the provision of blood donation information, and engagement with the African communities is crucial and a lack of basic information was as key barrier.

  • Motivators and barriers to blood donation among potential donors of African and Caucasian ethnicity. Helen Fogarty, Muskan Sardana, Luke Sheridan, Phoebe Chieng, Sarah Kelly, Noel Ngwenya, Ciara Sheehan, Kieran Morris, Emma Tuohy. Blood Transfus. 2022 Jun 12.

• Gender identification is critical for donation and transfusion safety and our transgender donation policy means that and there is increased awareness of the barriers and stigma that transgender donors may experience.
  • For more information please see our Transgender and Non-Binary Donor's Information Leaflet
  • Transgender Donors and Blood Donation in the Irish Blood Transfusion Service. Jennifer Harkin, Shonagh Ward, Louise Pomeroy, Ellen McSweeney. Presentation at 4th European Conference on Donor Health and Management 2021.

On-going Research 

• Assessment of ferritin levels in Irish whole blood donors and the impact of repeated whole blood donation.
• Greater understanding of the blood donation barriers and motivations within various communities linving in Ireland
• Estimation of donor compliance with health & lifestyle questionnaire