What to know
- Canadian Blood Services says the national blood supply has dropped by nearly 20 per cent since June 1, leaving several blood types at unsustainable levels.
- The organization needs about 18,000 booked blood donation appointments each week but has been falling short by 1,500 to 2,500 appointments over the past six weeks.
- To help boost donations, Canadian Blood Services has added more weekend appointment slots and is urging eligible Canadians to book or keep their donation appointments.
A Canadian charity is calling for people to roll up their sleeves and donate blood amid an ongoing nationwide shortage.
“It’s in you to give,” is the slogan for Canadian Blood Services (CBS), the national organization responsible for blood products in every province and territory in the nation excluding Quebec. But it turns out, not enough people have been giving.
The non-profit is calling for people to make appointments to donate, saying that blood supply has dropped by almost 20 per cent since June 1, leaving some blood types with limited days of supply available for patients. CBS highlights that this decrease is causing concerns about patient care if the trend continues.
The organization says in order to meet hospital demand, it requires about 18,000 booked blood donation appointments. But over the last six weeks, appointments have fallen short by between 1,500-2,500 every week, forcing CBS to rely on existing inventory to meet patient needs.
While a seasonal decline in donations is expected during the summer months, the Canadian organization says current appointment numbers have fallen below typical summer patterns.
“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,” Ron Vezina, vice-president of donor engagement and corporate reputation at Canadian Blood Services, said in a statement.
Blood donations are especially important because whole blood has a shelf life of only 42 days, meaning donations made today can quickly reach patients in hospitals.
“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,” Vezina said.
Increased opportunities to donate blood
To increase opportunities for people to donate, the charity has added more appointment slots during the weekends at many donor centres, making it easier for those working 9-5 positions to contribute. Whole blood donation appointments are also available at several plasma donor centres.
Also, make sure you don’t miss your appointment. CBS is calling on those who already have appointments to keep them when possible, while those who are unable to attend are encouraged to cancel as soon as possible so someone else can take their place.
Eligible donors can book an appointment through Canadian Blood Services’ website, the GiveBlood app, or by calling 1-888-2-DONATE. The organization is also encouraging those unable to donate immediately to schedule an appointment later this summer.
