Canadian Blood Services is putting out the call to eligible donors to come in and give blood to refill the national supply before Canada Day.
The blood collection agency says all types will be needed in the coming months but type O and A are needed right now.
“With the holiday falling mid-week this year, we’re seeing fewer appointments booked and a higher number of cancellations around Canada Day,” said Mark Donnison, Vice-President of Donor Relations. “This is particularly challenging because many regular donors are planning to take an extra-long weekend.”
The Canada Safety Council says it sees an increase in fatalities during the summer months every year and that 85 percent of them are considered preventable.
Blood officials say up to 50 units are needed to help save the life of someone in a car crash and that almost 30,000 appointments each week are required during the summer to meet demand.
“It is a more challenging time for us during the summer months,” said Lisa Castro from Canadian Blood Services. “That one person can touch the lives of three different patients because when they are donating blood, they are donating whole blood and we take the different products out of the whole blood and we’re left with plasma, platelets and red cells.”
In Calgary, there are currently 401 appointment times available in the city between now and July 5 and Calgarians are urged to come in and donate.
The Calgary blood donor clinic is located at 737 13 Ave. SW and is open:
- Monday – Thursday 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. & 4:00 p.m. – 8:00 p.m.
- Friday 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.
- Saturday 8:00 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.
- Canada Day (July 1st ) 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
Appointments are also available at Glenmore Christian Academy - 16520 24th street SW
- Saturday, July 5 9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.
To book an appointment download the GiveBlood app, visit blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283.
