Louth donors honoured at Irish Blood Transfusion Service North East awards ceremony

The Louth donors who were honoured- Back Row (L-R): Jennifer O’Kane Donor Attendant, Joe McCormack, Jimmy Mackle, Stan Brennan, Fintan McGroder, Des Bowers, Tommy McDonagh, Ruth Dunne, Michelle McArdle
Front Row (L-R): Joe Lawlor, Damian Matthews 100 Time Donor, Eileen McGoey, Ken Corcoran, Ciaran Reilly, Pat O’Hare — The Louth donors who were honoured- Back Row (L-R): Jennifer O’Kane Donor Attendant, Joe McCormack, Jimmy Mackle, Stan Brennan, Fintan McGroder, Des Bowers, Tommy McDonagh, Ruth Dunne, Michelle McArdle Front Row (L-R): Joe Lawlor, Damian Matthews 100 Time Donor, Eileen McGoey, Ken Corcoran, Ciaran Reilly, Pat O’Hare | Supplied

placeholder image — The Louth donors who were honoured- Back Row (L-R): Jennifer O’Kane Donor Attendant, Joe McCormack, Jimmy Mackle, Stan Brennan, Fintan McGroder, Des Bowers, Tommy McDonagh, Ruth Dunne, Michelle McArdle Front Row (L-R): Joe Lawlor, Damian Matthews 100 Time Donor, Eileen McGoey, Ken Corcoran, Ciaran Reilly, Pat O’Hare | Supplied

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager for the Ardee Centre was MC for the ceremony

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 15th May, 2026 in the Ardboyne Hotel, Navan, Co Meath.

Eighty two 50-time Donors received their Gold Drop and seventeen 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.

“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”, she said.

The CEO presented each of the 50 Time Donors with their Gold Drop awards and the Porcelain Pelicans to the 100 Time Donors.

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. 14-year-old Charlie took to the podium & thanked Donors for saving his Mum’s life receiving a huge round of applause from the audience.

Iosif Korpas, Area Manager delivered the closing address.

He thanked all the donors on their fantastic accomplishment of donating 50 and 100 times. Iosif also thanked Emma for sharing her powerful story, reminding all why blood donations are always required.