Watch above: Spending time with family and friends over the holidays often requires travel and that means more risk of collisions on Saskatchewan roads. Aaron Streck says that’s why Canadian Blood Services is pushing for more donations.
SASKATOON – The holidays usually mean people are preparing to travel Saskatchewan roads and spend time with family and friends. While there’s a spirit of giving in the air, it’s not necessarily translating to pints of blood.
For 40 years, Randall Hyde has been donating blood and platelets to Canadian Blood Services. The retired SaskTel employee has seen the need first hand and that’s the reason he keeps coming back.
“I did a lot of highway driving and I’ve come across too many accidents in my life, a lot of fatalities and you see a lot of people banged up, cut up, you know they need blood, it’s a personal touch that way. You see it and like I can help, here’s something I can do,” said Hyde.
While many people travel during the holidays, donating blood usually isn’t top priority, making Christmas a critical time.
“Every time of year is really important but this time of year is really important because people are so busy they don’t make the time to come out because Christmas just takes up too much time,” said Hyde.
“During this time of year we are short literally hundreds of appointments so we are waiting for hundreds of people to fill slots in Saskatchewan alone,” said Jeff Martel, Saskatchewan and Alberta Canadian Blood Services donor relations territory manager.
MORE: Restrictions holding back blood donations during shortage
Last year, half of Canadians were eligible to donate blood but only one out of every 60 did.
“There’s always time, there’s always time for anything that’s a good thing to do, to volunteer or to donate, we all can do it,” said blood donor Sharon Ceslak.
Blood is required for a number of reasons but the holidays mean travel. In 2012, there were over 340 collisions in the province between Dec. 24 to 27, resulting in 49 injuries and two deaths.
“An average year we would see maybe October, November, December, January as sort of the worst months for crashes,” said SGI spokesperson Kelley Brinkworth.
“Certainly this time of year there’s a lot of concerns. Road conditions would be a big concern and impaired driving if people are out celebrating the holiday season.”
As the saying goes “It’s in you to give” and that gift this holiday season might just save a life.
To donate blood during Canadian Blood Services‘ Rapid Red campaign, call 1-888-236-6283.
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