Longford's ​Abbott hopes VR headsets can be game-changer

Almost 100 employees at Longford-based healthcare company Abbott donated blood during a special employee blood drive held in conjunction with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service with cutting-edge mixed reality experiences a notable new feature.

Abbott in conjunction with Samsung created the Galaxy XR augmented reality headsets to ease donor anxiety and make it more comfortable for people—especially younger demographics, where uptake is low - to give blood.

Just 3% of the eligible population in this country are blood donors but it is estimated one in four people will need a blood transfusion at some point in their lives.

The blood drive was held at Abbott’s Longford campus as part of the the company’s 80th anniversary in Ireland in 2026 and a spokesperson said their '80th is about celebrating our people, telling people that we have a great heritage and it's growing'.

A total of 98 people attended the event and donated blood last Thursday with 43 of those first time donors.

One donation has the potential to help save up to three lives and Thursday's clinic will support life-saving care for people across Ireland.

The IBTS previously had a target to collect 3,000 units of blood every week to maintain the national blood supply and meet hospital demand, but that was recently increased to 3,200 units.

Nuala Haughian, EMEA Product Manager, New Technologies at Abbott Transfusion Medicine, said last May the global healthcare company collaborated with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service.

She stated they launched the headsets in 2025, however, Samsung were brought in this year and they created the latest-generation Samsung Galaxy XR headsets.

“Blood donation plays a vital role in healthcare, with donations helping to support patients across Ireland who rely on life-saving transfusions.”

"Abbott has a long-standing partnership with the Irish Blood Transfusion Service, providing testing that helps ensure the safety of the national blood supply.”

“As a global leader in health technology, we are always exploring new innovative ways which can enhance the donor experience.

"We know many people are anxious about giving blood, and our mixed reality technology can help ease that by shifting their focus to something engaging or calming."

Nuala said there was a focus on reaching out to and encouraging younger donors to give blood as the IBTS 'reached critical levels a number of times last year' in relation to some blood types.

"People who are under 30 are quite hard to recruit and that is not just in Ireland, it's an issue globally," she added.

Nuala said at Abbott Transfusion Medicine they work specifically with blood and plasma organisations.

"We screen over 50% of blood and plasma in the world and with that, we get feedback from all of our customers.

"We asked them about their experience and the biggest one that we got back was 'We can't recruit donors'. "

Nuala said it became clear there was a need to appeal to younger people ‘who like being tech-savvy’ to give blood.

She stated they considered what initiative could be developed to attract young donors and also to reduce their anxiety.

"We collaborated again with these mixed reality websites and you are going to have an experience of distraction therapy, as we call it."

Nuala said they have two choices on the virtual reality headsets and the first is an intergalactica option ‘where you can go on a spaceship across Mars to find things and your crew’.

There is also a relaxing zen garden where participants can listen to soothing music and using only their eye movements they can plant virtual flower seeds that bloom over the course of the donation.

Nuala said the technology aims to provide a meditative distraction to counter clinical stress and the fear of needles.

"These experiences are purpose-built for donating blood and it's a real distraction for the donor and it helps them ease their anxiety.

"So, it's very positive in terms of donating blood and you will come back which is what you want to achieve.

"It's great to come in once, but the Irish Blood Transfusion Service need you to come back in again."

Nuala said this is a global initiative and it is currently in over 32 countries at the moment and it is available worldwide to blood and plasma organisations through Abbott Transfusion Medicine.

"Some people like to see the needle go in and they know it started, whereas other people like to put the headset on and then they aren't aware at all.

Nuala said for every pint of blood a person who donates blood can save three lives, which she described as 'amazing'.

"When you think about it in less than an hour it takes altogether, you will have saved three lives.

The company spokesperson praised the 'fabulous people who work for Abbott' who are 'fantastic' in terms of community events they organise.

"Our practice is great products and great solutions for patients globally and we want to be able to make sure that people can live fuller lives for as long as they can."

She said they have a positive relationship with local communities and they "play a really important role in terms of giving back".

Abbott’s employee-driven community and philanthropy program in Ireland Croí an Óir (Heart of Gold) has raised €3 million for hundreds of Irish charities since 2007.

The company has 10 sites across Ireland in Longford, Sligo Dublin, Donegal, Clonmel, Cootehill, Galway and Kilkenny and they employ 6,500 people with bases in all four provinces.

Sharon Ryan, Director of Donor Experience and Collections, IBTS said, “Partnerships are vital to recruiting new donors and maintaining a resilient national blood supply.

"We are very grateful to Abbott Ireland for their continued commitment hosting a clinic in Longford, following a successful clinic in Sligo earlier in the year.

"We look forward to further collaboration on future blood drives across their Irish sites.”

The IBTS aims to have seven days’ supply at all times. however, current supply levels for most groups are below this.

Hospitals require blood every day for emergencies, surgeries, cancer care, childbirth complications, and the treatment of patients with chronic illnesses and serious medical conditions.

The IBTS said every donation can make a vital difference and potentially save lives, and it ensures hospitals can continue providing essential care when patients need it most.

The IBTS said O Positive and A Positive make up three quarters of the patient profile in Irish hospitals and about 8% of blood donors are O negative.

However, as this blood can be transfused to patients of all groups, issues of this blood group to hospitals are frequently greater than 15% thus requiring more frequent calls on donors of this group.