{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/67c5d757b48a8f157c1f9076/68f20e6af44ac08a8b5aebef?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"\" It’s Time to Broaden the Donor Base for Blood Supplies\", Says Meath-Based Senator","description":"<p>An awareness campaign is needed, as well as improved incentives to encourage eligible blood donors to understand the life-saving impact of their donation, a Fine Gael Senator has said.</p><p><br></p><p>Senator Linda Nelson Murray said: “Now is the time to act, as the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) warned it may have to issue an ‘amber alert’ for the first time, which may force the postponement of elective surgeries in our hospitals.</p><p><br></p><p>The IBTS is seeking 12,000 additional blood donations over the next four weeks as stocks of many blood groups have dropped below three days.</p><p><br></p><p>She also emphasised the importance of reaching underrepresented communities and has called for educational material to be made available in multiple languages and says there needs to be partnerships to help spread awareness.</p><p><br></p><p>Senator Nelson Murray joined us on The Agenda this morning to talk to us some more about this. </p><p><br></p><p><br></p>","author_name":"lmfm "}