Cavan man says locals should play their part and 'donate blood'

A Cavan man has called for "more people" to donate blood.

Gerry Cadden from Gowna, has donated blood over 100 times, but is concerned that 529 units of blood had to be imported from abroad last year, due to a shortage of supply.

While the Irish Blood Transfusion Service claims "supply is not meeting demand," Mr Cadden says there is a "feel good factor" to donating blood and potentially saving a life.

The Cavan man says 70,000 people will require a blood transfusion in Ireland this year, and believes getting an increase rate from 3% up to 5% could help Ireland become self-sufficient.

He hopes the reopening of proposed smaller clinics in local communities will encourage people to come out and support blood donation.