15,000 new blood donors will be needed this year to ensure the national supply remains secure.
The Irish Blood Transfusion Service is appealing for new signups as around 200 patients need transfusions every day.
They're particularly looking for those of African Heritage to come forward and donate.
Paul McKinney is Director of Donor Services and Logistics with the IBTS:
"The demand has been very high. Last year was particularly high. We do no need really to work on the D-negative groups. That's A, B and O, which is the Universal Blood Group, in which we are low. And that's why we're asking current existing donors and new donors to please come forward, particularly in those blood groups that I've mentioned, to help get the blood supply back up to where we need which is a seven day supply each week".
