Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is looking for more donations, as the distribution of blood products to hospitals is outweighing the amount that people are actually donating. Officials with the organization say this is a big problem in the province, and especially the GTA.
CBS report sending Ontario hospitals about 7,400 units of blood per week in order to help patients in need, and officials are reminding Canadians that it’s important to donate blood in order to prevent patient care from being impacted.
“As quickly as we collect blood, hospitals are calling for more. There are simply not enough people donating in Ontario to ensure patients’ needs will continue to be met long term,” Mark Newburgh, director, donor relations and collections, Canadian Blood Services, said in a statement.
“Life can change in seconds, and you or someone you love may need blood urgently. It’s up to all of us to ensure we can save lives here at home.”
According to CBS, there are around 10 million Ontarians eligible to donate blood, but only 1.5 per cent actually take the plunge.
The organization operates a national inventory and says that blood can be moved across the country when needed. However, officials say that the nationwide blood system requires donors to roll up their sleeves across the country.
“Blood donors in Toronto help ensure hospitals in this province receive the blood they need,” reads a release from CBS, adding that this includes all of the city’s hospitals, which together require over 71,000 units of blood annually.
While blood products are needed to treat patients who need serious trauma and emergency care, they are also required for everyday procedures and treatments, such as major surgeries, medical procedures, cancer treatments and managing diseases and disorders.
CBS says more than 2,500 people are needed to donate blood in the next four weeks at three downtown Toronto donor centres to meet the current demand. People can make an appointment over the phone, on their website, or via the Canadian Blood Services app. Additionally, walk-ins are available.
The organization is asking people not to assume they are not eligible to donate, explaining that they regularly update their donation eligibility criteria. This means that even if you’ve previously been turned away from a donation centre you may still be able to donate.
