Louth blood donors honoured at awards ceremony

Photo: (Front) Brendan Kelly (100 time Donor), Briege Renaghan, Patricia O’Rourke, Louise Pickering, Gary Kinsella, Colm Lally (Back) David McDonnell, Anthony Nelis, Ciaran McCabe, Kieran Gallagher, David Mackin, Eamon Hoey

The Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS) held its annual Gold Drop and Porcelain Pelican Awards Ceremony for the North-East, Midlands’s region on Friday 25th April, 2025 in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath.   One hundred  and fourteen 50 time Donors received their Gold Drop and twenty two 100-time Donors received their Porcelain Pelicans at the ceremony.  Donors and their guests attended from counties, Cavan, North County Dublin, Kildare, Leitrim, Longford, Louth, Meath, Monaghan and Westmeath.  

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager for the Ardee Centre was MC for the ceremony and welcomed everyone including Board Members of the Irish Blood Transfusion Service and congratulated all the Donors on their significant achievements.  Chief Executive Officer Orla O’Brien thanked Donors from the bottom of her heart stating that donating 50 times is quite an achievement but donating 100 times is awe inspiring.  In our presence on the night was father & son - 100 time donor John Egan (father) and 50 Time donor his son Conor Egan who between them donated 219 donations!  Both living in Kildare - the room erupted in applause when they received their awards.

It was noted that the Ardee Centre hosted the highest number of 100 Time Donor Awards to date.  ‘It is lovely to personally meet the Donors who without their help could not benefit the many people in our hospitals every day in Ireland’.  The CEO presented each of the 50 Time Donors with their Gold Drop awards and the Porcelain Pelicans to the 100 Time Donors.  

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Mrs. Emma Gilbey spoke on behalf of her family and thanked all the Donors present from the bottom of her heart.  Emma received blood before and throughout the four hours of emergency surgery that followed during the birth of her son Charlie.  13-year-old Charlie took to the podium & thanked Donors for saving his Mum’s life bringing the crowd to a standing ovation.

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager delivered the closing address.  He thanked all the donors on their fantastic accomplishment of donating 50 and 100 times.  This requires significant dedication and they are truly inspiring.  Iosif also thanked Emma for sharing her powerful story, reminding us all why blood donations are always required.