Canadian Blood Services calls for donors before New Year

Canadian Blood Services are striving to complete 3,000 blood donation appointments before the New Year, with their only closure until then on Christmas Day.

Associate Director Gayle Voyer reminds donors to honour their appointments or cancel ahead of time if possible.

“We do see a lot of same-day cancellation of appointments,” she said. “We’re just asking people that if they do book that appointment, that they do make the time … or cancel it as soon as they know they are unable to attend so we can open up that appointment for someone else.”

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She admits they are seeing fewer donors now than at the beginning of the pandemic.

“This time of year, it’s typically harder to fill appointments — just with people’s schedules and lots of different seasonal activities going on,” she said.

“We do see a bit of a dip in appointments, and that number basically comes from all available appointments at any of our fixed sites or any of our mobile collection sites across B.C.”\

After blood donors supported young Kane Wolfe through heart surgery, his family and community have rallied to help others.

Read more: https://t.co/WtzQjhhIXf@KristyWolfeAB#wolfpackwarriors #SeasonOfGiving pic.twitter.com/aa1CTXe50b

— Canadian Blood Services (@CanadasLifeline) December 23, 2021

Extreme weather events like the recent flooding in B.C. didn’t help either. Soon after the floods, a few sites had to be relocated.

“But now we seem to be in a good place, and so collections will continue at all of our regular sites,” said Voyer.

“Because things are opening up, people have more opportunities to do different things, and we’re just asking that they take some time this holiday season to book a blood donation appointment.”

Due to #COVID19, group stem cell swabbing events across the country have been suspended.

If you are between the ages of 17—35, you can sign up to join Canada’s stem cell registry right from home. You’ll receive a swabbing kit in the mail.

Register at https://t.co/JoyAYjN3ry pic.twitter.com/cgTcnsYZU3

— Canadian Blood Services (@CanadasLifeline) December 23, 2021

There are more ways to help than just donating blood, though. The organization is also putting out a fresh appeal for people between 17 and 35 to sign up for its stem cell registry.

More details are available on their website or through the Give Blood app.

With files from John Ackermann.