A new campaign is being launched today to urge more Irish people to donate blood.

There has been a 30% drop in the number of men and women donating blood worldwide.

A new initiative is been launched today in a bid to attract 8,000 new donors here by the end of the year.

“Today we’re launching the Missing Types campaign,” said Irish Blood Transfusion Service chief executive Andy Kelly.

“Basically, it’s about missing donations.

“So A. B and O are the main blood types. We want people to come forward with any blood type in those groups and donate – not necessarily today, but to commit to becoming a donor over the next few months.”