* Contribute to research on expanding platelet transfusion therapy in Ireland

People in Ireland voluntarily donate blood everyday. Platelets are cells found in blood and support life-saving treatments in patients, such as preventing bleeding or boosting the immune response in those undergoing treatment for cancer. However, platelets only have a shelf life of only 1 week. Therefore, maintaining an adequate supply for all patients that need platelets is challenging. This project will investigate how changing the storage temperature for platelet donations could help to extend their shelf life. This project is funded by the Health Research Board (HRB) and conducted by researchers at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland (RCSI) in collaboration with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service (IBTS). The project will gather laboratory data on platelets stored at fridge temperatures, instead of the current standard of room temperature, to prolong their shelf life. The results will be used to inform platelet production in Ireland.

Who Is The Opportunity For?
This opportunity is open to blood and platelet donors, and to patients or individuals with personal or family experience of regular platelet transfusions (e.g. during treatment for cancer or for major bleeding). We are aiming to recruit 3 PPI contributors. Our opportunity is open to all. However, please note for those living in remote areas, we have a limited budget to support travel costs and may be unable to reimburse these costs for long-distance journeys to in-person meetings.

What Will PPI Contributors Do?
PPI contributors will be part of a steering group (together with the lead researcher and an IBTS representative). This steering group will meet in person at the premises of the IBTS once every 6 months for 2 hours.

The roles of PPI contributors at steering group meetings:
– Co-designing of consent information for study participants
– Reading of pre-meeting updates prepared by the researcher and the IBTS representative.
– Participating in discussions to ensure that the outcomes from the research are meaningful to patients and the public.
– Discussing ideas for the dissemination of study results to donors, patients and the public.
PPI contributors are further offered the opportunity to communicate aspects of this research to different audiences:
– To transfusion researchers and at a scientific conference in Dublin (11/2026)
– To the general public at an information event at the IBTS in Dublin (9/2027)

What Should I Say In My Expression of Interest?
If you are interested in this opportunity, please submit an expression of interest before 30th of September 2025. Please shortly outline:
– Your personal involvement or experience with blood transfusion (products) as a donor, recipient, or close family member
– Why you are interested in contributing to this PPI opportunity / this project
– What personal experiences/skills/views of yours might add value to the project