The ability of the GAA to reach wider and deeper than most into local communities will be at the heart of a new initiative between the association and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.
The ‘It’s in Your Blood’ partnership between the two bodies was launched in Dublin yesterday and is aimed at raising awareness of blood donation, and providing easier access to clinics that will take blood.
“The provision of blood is hugely important” said GAA President Liam O’Neill. “To those who already donate on a regular basis, I hope they continue to do so and to those who don’t I would draw their attention to the crucial role they have to play, especially at this time of the year when the requirement is at its most acute.”
“We are delighted to lend our support to the ‘It’s in Your Blood’ awareness campaign and would encourage our members and units to lend their support to this most worthwhile initiative. I wish everyone involved every success and hope this ongoing partnership can make a tangible difference.”
O’Neill was joined at the launch by four All Ireland winners (pictured above) – Anna Geary of Cork Camogie, Laura McEnaney of Monaghan football, Hurler of the Year Tony Kelly from Clare, and Dublin footballer Eoghan O’Gara.
20 clubs around the country are already hosting clinics and it is hoped to double that number by the end of 2014. The plan is also to sign up another 400 clubs to provide information and easier access to existing local community clinics.
Lesson for Sport: Doing good within a local area will help to enforce the club as the central focus of the community.
Lesson for Business: Sporting organisations have a natural reach to those communities and should be the first port of call for CSR initiatives that have ambition to reach as wide an Irish audience as possible.
“70,000 patients each year need a blood transfusion,” said IBTS Chief Executive, Andy Kelly. “We are extremely grateful to the GAA for partnering with us on the It’s In Your Blood campaign. This will allow us to raise awareness, to facilitate people to give blood more regularly and inform new donors about giving blood.
“We are asking club members to encourage their club to sign up to this initiative at www.giveblood.ie and will ask the club to work with a Giveblood GAA club volunteer from within their own club who will promote local clinics to the clubs members, educate players and families about blood donation, and with the clubs support, mobilise the club to support local clinics and create new blood donation opportunities for members, players and the local community.”
“Our two organisations share a common reliance on volunteerism and community spirit. We believe people involved with the GAA are well placed to help us in our continued mission of maintaining a safe and sustainable blood supply.”
