LETHBRIDGE – It’s a simple act that can often be overlooked, but donating blood can mean the difference between life and death.
Susan Greer was diagnosed with non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma two and a half years after losing her 20-month-old son to cancer.
“I went through six months of chemotherapy, during which I did receive blood transfusions when my counts were low,” Greer said.
Greer said the transfusions and a bone marrow donation from her sister saved her life and she’s been cancer free for 19 years.
Stories like this are the reason people are being encouraged to donate.
According to Canadian Blood Services only 1 in 60 Canadians gave blood last year, when almost 1 of 2 is eligible.
Right now there is a dire need, not only nationwide, but in our own backyard as well.
“Here at the Lethbridge clinic we need over 565 more people to book appointments by June to keep up with hospital demand,” Belinda Tomiyama of Canadian Blood Services said.
Tomiyama says added pressure to the blood supply has created a greater need.
“Some people have missed their appointments and we have seasonal conditions such as the flu so people aren’t eligible to donate, we also have temporary deferrals associated with travels.”
In response to the global outbreak of the Zika virus, CBS implemented a new 21 day waiting period for anyone travelling outside of Canada, the United States and Europe.
Although they say the risk of a Canadian donor transmitting the virus to a blood recipient is low, people are encouraged to donate before they travel.
According to Blood Services it takes:
-50 donors to help save one person seriously hurt in a car crash
-Up to five donors to save someone who needs cardiovascular surgery
-Up to eight donors a week to help someone going through a treatment for leukemia
“Whether it’s time, money or blood, it adds up and lives are being extended,” said Greer. “I’m just one story of many.”
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