Watch above: Despite a decline in the need for blood donations, the Saskatchewan Roughriders have helped kick off the Bleed Green campaign. Wendy Winiewski speaks to a young man who explains why this program is still so necessary.
SASKATOON – The sixth annual Saskatchewan Roughriders “Bleed Green” campaign kicked off Wednesday during training camp at Saskatoon’s Griffiths Stadium. Rider running back Anthony Allen is this year’s campaign ambassador and is involved because of a personal connection.
“My dad was recently diagnosed with a type of leukemia,” explained Allen after signing Nolan Enns’ football.
Enns, 13, also has leukemia. He was diagnosed three months ago and is undergoing chemotherapy to fight the disease. The drug drops his blood cell levels.
“The blood transfusion just helps me so it gets back up and so I have more energy and then I can have the chemo again,” explained Nolan.
He’s received four transfusions so far. Recognizing the importance, he and Allen are asking the public to donate, specifically as summer approaches, a season when donation rates consistently drop.
This year, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) hopes to collect 830,000 units of blood, the goal is 50,000 units less than 2014.
“Because of advancements, the usage and the amount of blood needed has decreased,” said Judy Jones, CBS Alberta and Saskatchewan’s associate director.
READ MORE: Donating blood especially crucial during long weekends
Refined medical techniques and improved technologies, such as laproscopic surgery, means less blood is being used nationally by doctors. This decreasing trend has led CBS to make some changes. As of June 1, three permanent clinics closed, one each in B.C., Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador. By the end of June, 16 mobile clinics will be closed.
In Saskatchewan, the affected communities are Assiniboia, Esterhazy, Moosomin, Southey, Kipling, Lumsden, White City, Rocanville and Meadow Lake.
“We looked at a number of factors when deciding to close these clinics,” said Jones. “You’ve got a permanent clinic in Saskatoon and Regina. We try to bring individuals into that area and the costs are less.”
READ MORE: Regina and Saskatoon to get new blood donor clinics, up to 14 jobs being cut
Closed clinics, and a 4.5 per cent decrease in need because of medical advances, may be creating a mixed message but CBS continues working to avoid shortages according to Jones.
“We’re always trying to encourage new donors to come in and donate.”
Nolan’s father, Chris Enns, understands.
“Watching someone else’s blood go into my son,” he paused, “it was pretty emotional”. Experiencing this journey first hand is the reason Enns is now a donor.
Car accident victims typically use blood from 50 people. The average leukemia patient requires five units a week during chemotherapy.
Since 2010, the Bleed Green campaign has brought in over 8,600 donations.
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