The Garda Blood for Life Cycle 2015 is a yearly initiative that involves Garda Síochána from all over the country, making a 1050km trek to promote the need for blood donation in this Country. Garda Stephen Roe learnt firsthand of this need when his son Alex was diagnosed with Leukaemia.

Stephen is a member of the traffic corps in Cork City and said “My son Alex, aged 21, died in May 2010, five years after he was diagnosed with leukaemia. He had to have up to 50 (blood) transfusions. It was then I realised the value of blood transfusions because, without donors he would have died much sooner,”

Last year’s participants cycled through all 26 counties in the Republic Ireland across 5 days and this year’s event will be just as challenging as 18 gardai/police will cycle from Cork (Ireland) to Geneva (Switzerland), starting off on the 9th of June and arriving on WORLD BLOOD DAY 14th of June 2015.

What many people don’t realise is that there is a constant need for blood donation in Ireland. The Irish Blood Transfusion Service requires 3000 units of blood each week in order to meet the country’s demand for blood. “One pint of blood can save three people’s lives. But it only lasts 30 days so it’s vital the blood banks are kept topped up,” Stephen said.

The gardaí are hoping new and lapsed donors will go to their local blood transfusion clinic and donate a unit of blood for their cause. Their aim is to have 1000 units of blood by the time the cycle is finished. The cycle has been a huge success in previous years in raising awareness for blood donations and they’re hoping this year is no different. If you would like to make a difference, register at your local blood clinic today and don’t forget to let the staff know it’s for the BLOOD FOR LIFE CYCLE.