Inventory of blood needs an injection of 150,000 donations by July 1
With summer’s unofficial kick-off approaching this May long weekend, Canadian Blood Services is calling on all eligible Canadians in Halifax to roll up their sleeves for patients.
Canadian Blood Services boosts the blood supply every spring to prepare for the summer, when routines are disrupted as regular donors join the thousands of Canadians who head outdoors or out of town to enjoy the warm weather.
This year, a stormy winter and a wet spring have left inventory levels lower than normal. That means there’s enough blood on the shelves to meet patient needs today, but supplies need to increase before the summer months.
Cancer patients, accident victims, and people with blood disorders rely on blood transfusions every day even during the summer. When there are fewer people around to donate, there needs to be more blood on the shelves to ensure patients get what they need.
Canadians are strongly encouraged to roll up their sleeves to build the blood supply to the level it needs to be.
Peter MacDonald, director of donor relations in the Atlantic Region, reminds us that “for patients, the demand for blood never takes a holiday. We need 16,000 blood donations every week to stock our shelves and continue to help patients throughout the summer.”
While there’s a greater need for Type O blood, all donors are encouraged to book an appointment today. There are at least 3,000 appointments each and every week left waiting to be filled.
In the Halifax area there are 492 appointments to fill by May 29. Upcoming clinics in the area include:
· Waverley Royal Canadian Legion Hall, 2234 Rocky Lake Drive, Waverly
Wednesday, May 17, 2017: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
· St. Margaret’s Arena & Community Centre, 12 Westwood Blvd.,Tantallon
Thursday, May 18, 2017: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
· Woodlawn United Church, 54 Woodlawn Road, Dartmouth
Monday, May 22, 2017: 12:00pm – 3:00pm; 5:00pm – 8:00pm
· Christ Church, 61 Dundas Street, Dartmouth
Tuesday, May 23, 2017: 1:00pm – 3:00pm; 5:00pm – 8:00pm
· Bedford Royal Canadian Legion, 1772 Bedford Highway, Bedford
Thursday, May 25, 2017: 5:00pm – 8:00pm
· Halifax Regional School Board, 33 Spectacle Lake Drive, Dartmouth
Friday, May 26, 2017: 9:00am – 1:00pm
· Halifax Blood Donor Clinic, 7071 Bayers Road, Suite 252
Mondays & Wednesdays: 3:00pm – 7:00pm
Tuesdays & Thursdays: 10:00am – 2:00pm
Fridays & Saturdays: 9:00am – 1:00pm
Did you know?
Even though half of the Canadian population is eligible to donate, only four per cent of people do. That small group provides blood for everyone, so as Canada marks its 150th anniversary, one way Canadians can celebrate is to respond in high numbers. Bring a friend or make it an event by donating as a group.
To make a difference and save a life:
· Book and keep your next appointment.
· Bring along friends, family members or coworkers to donate with you. Almost all first-time donors do so as a group.
· Walk into a clinic and donate on the spot. For a list of current clinics, please visit blood.ca or download the mobile app.
To book an appointment today, locate a clinic, check your eligibility and more, download the GiveBlood App or visit blood.ca.
About Canadian Blood Services
Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec). We operate an integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model that includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation. Our national scope, infrastructure and governance make us unique in the Canadian healthcare landscape. Canadian Blood Services is regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health. Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization.
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Source: Media Release
