The Irish infatuation with sport is a curious affair. Often it is mistaken as a mass vehicle for escapism, a distraction for the generally mundane and tedious realities of life. This is inaccurate, sport does merely exist to take us away, it brings people together.
At the heart of the team’s athletes play for, the fans who rub shoulders on the terraces, the unconstrained bandwagon we all leap on with every international success, is a sense of community. It is persistent and inescapable. Joy, entertainment, comfort, sport brings it all.
Today in Ireland, 3,000 blood donations are needed each week to keep up with the constant demand for blood. 67% of donated blood is used to help fight cancer, and these treatments could not happen if blood were not available. One in four will need a blood transfusion in their lifetime. Family, friends, team-mates; their time of need will come.
Patrick Dunlea is a man who understands this need more than most. Hailing from Midleton, Cork, Dunlea and his father played and coached at the local GAA club. This was the very same spot where they’d donate blood from, an accustomed backdrop where they benefited from and gave to their community.
"Giving blood brings people together. It definitely builds community spirit. Make the time, it is definitely worth it. If you can make the time for training you can time to give blood."
Blood is life-saving. It is this ultimate fact that underpins how important it is to donate. The only way supplies can be maintained is if there is a sufficient number of healthy people regularly donating blood.
Patrick speaks with a forthright passion about the importance of donating while you can, because a time may come when you will need it as well.
There is a huge shortage at the moment in the country and only 3% of the population donate. I suppose with so many people sick at the moment with cancer, leukemia and that it's just so important to donate. My Dad, for example, was a donor, then he was sick last year battling leukemia as well. He went from one side of it being a donor to receiving blood platelets himself when he was sick.
Sport and donating came hand in hand for the Dunleas. As a child, Patrick spent his time running after his father collecting cones as he coached the local Midleton side. The duo would go together to the clubhouse afterward, where Patrick's dad would donate blood. When he got old enough to do so himself, Patrick Dunlea was more than willing.
"It was the donations that kept him alive as long as he was. He gave it a good rattle really."
Earlier this year, Patrick's father passed away. However, their relationship with donations has driven him on to continue to do so and encourage others to do the same.
The biggest thing at the moment is people are so busy. They are busy with work, with matches, on their phones, things like that. It doesn't take that long, it will take an hour out of your life but it will give back. If you are in a position to give it can really help.
