Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is calling on all eligible blood donors to support lifesaving care for patients over the holidays by responding to the immediate need to fill more than 15,000 open appointments across Canada by Dec. 31.
Collection opportunities, said CBS, will be lost over several days because of the timing of statutory holidays this season, which could put the platelet inventory at risk.
Donated blood lasts only 42 days but platelets that are commonly used to treat cancer patients have a short expiry of seven days.
Despite the pandemic, donor centres remain open across the country to allow CBS to continue to provide essential products and services for patients.
Donor centres will be open on New Year’s Day, in addition to regularly scheduled operating hours.
“Safety is our highest priority. Enhanced wellness measures are in effect throughout all our donor centres to ensure the wellbeing of donors and our teams is safeguarded,” said Rick Prinzen, CBS chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.
“Not all connections can be virtual during COVID-19. We’re grateful to donors and frontline workers who have helped maintain an adequate level of blood products for patients since the onset of the pandemic. But the demand for blood never stops, even over the holidays.”
Although donating blood or plasma is less social than a traditional holiday activity, it is a safe way for those looking for a festive fix to connect with their community.
By scheduling an hour of time to donate this holiday season, you can make saving a life your greatest gift.
To book an appointment to give blood, download the GiveBlood app and join Canada’s Lifeline, call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or go online to Blood.ca.
