Donations at Canadian Blood Services typically dips in the summer as donors go on vacation and get sidetracked with other plans, but the agency says reserves right now are even lower than usual and without a reversal, is not sustainable for patient care.
Numbers have been dwindling since June 1, prompting a call for Canadians to roll up their sleeves as more weekend appointments have been created.
“We’ve seen the blood supply decline by about 20 per cent in just a matter of weeks and we need more donors to come forward now to reverse this decline,” said Ron Vezina, vice-president of donor engagement and corporate reputation at Canadian Blood Services.
Every week across the country, Canadian Blood Services said it needs approximately 18,000 booked blood donation appointments to keep pace with hospital demand.
While a seasonal decline in donations is expected during the summer months and factored into planning, appointment bookings have fallen well below typical summer patterns.
Over the past six weeks, appointments have fallen short by 1,500 to 2,500 each week, requiring a draw on existing inventory reserves to meet patient needs.
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Blood has a shelf life of just 42 days, so Canadian Blood Services said donations made today will quickly make their way to a patient.
There are now limited days on hand of several blood types — levels that are not sustainable for patient care should the trend not reverse itself, the agency said on Wednesday.
“We need to ensure hospitals have the blood they need for everyday care and emergencies, especially as we head into the August long weekend when trauma cases and other urgent care needs could see an increase.”
Donors of all blood types are needed to replenish supplies and keep pace with hospital demand.
If you’ve already booked an appointment, CBS said keeping it is essential and if you can’t make your appointment, cancelling in advance allows someone else to take that spot.
Additional weekend appointments have been added at many donor centres and whole blood donation appointments are available at several plasma donor centres, CBS said.
“A strong, healthy Canada depends on people showing up for one another,” Vezina said.
“Whether you’re a new or returning donor, now is the time to book an appointment. Better yet, bring a friend and experience what you get when you give together.”
Appointments can be booked at blood.ca, through the GiveBlood app for Android or Apple, or by calling 1-888-2-DONATE.
Red blood cells have a shelf life of 42 days. Plasma can be frozen up to 1 year and the platelets or only viable for 7days.
I used to donate whole blood regularly and then started donating plasma more frequently. I suddenly stopped once I learned Canadian Blood Services is selling Canadian donor plasma overseas to pharma companies. I had no problems donating to help Canadians (even if CBS is a for-profit company) but once I learned they were making money selling to foreign markets I decided that was unacceptable.
They can start paying donors to donate blood and plasma at this point.
I know of many people who would donate, but the donor clinics have shutdown in many locations.
I read the cry for donors (and I understand) but why don’t they reopen centres so that people can attend in their communities?
It isn’t reasonable to expect people to commute to distant communities to donate blood.
Imagine that after the libs destroy healthcare people stop giving hmm maby canadians have given enough at the alter of leftism .ive waited ten years for back surgery maby thats why people dont care anymore about anyone eles .media has covered the liberals decline and lied for ten years were the best well sure looks like it eh .
RE: Canadian Blood Services Pleas for Donations
I am a senior who sometimes has difficulty getting to various locations. Why is it that Canadian Blood Services doesn’t have a mobile donation option in rural or small town locations. I personally would donate at every opportunity if the mobile clinic came to my location.
It’s very sad that they’re so desperate but sadder still that they are overlooking small towns and people who really want to help.