Officials with Canadian Blood Services say 30 percent less people are donating blood than they were ten years ago and the organization is taking part in a global movement to change that.

The Missing Type campaign hopes to reverse the international decline in new donors and this year 25 blood services from 21 countries are involved.

The program was started in England and North Wales in 2015 and during the initiative the letters A,B and O will disappear from everyday locations in cities around the world to show support for the three main blood groups.

“Blood type is one way we’re all connected, yet many people rarely think about it or even know what theirs is,” said Susan Matsumoto, Director, Canadian Blood Services. “As a result of the Missing Type campaign we hope more people become aware of the constant need for blood and how knowing what your blood type is could help save your life or someone else’s.”

In Calgary, a test table was set up outside the downtown office and the letters were omitted from the blood services sign to bring attention to the initiative.

“It’s all about raising awareness for new blood donors and about the need for blood donation. So the As, the Bs and the Os are missing and that’s to highlight the importance of all blood groups and the importance of new donors,” said Kirsten Foster, Territory Manager, Canadian Blood Services.

Officials say three people around the world receive a life changing blood transfusion every second and that about 100,000 new blood donors are needed this year in Canada to maintain supply and meet demand.

“Blood transfusions save lives and transform health for millions across the world,” says Matsumoto. “But they are dependent on people donating blood. Whether it is patients receiving treatment for cancer, blood disorders, after crashes or during surgery, or new moms who lost blood in childbirth, blood is an absolutely essential part of modern healthcare. And right now, too many As, Bs and Os are missing in Canada. We need Canadians to come forward and register to become blood donors.”

Blood types of Canadians:

  • O+ 39 percent
  • O- 7 percent
  • A+ 36 percent
  • A- 6 percent
  • B+ 7.6 percent
  • B- 1.4 percent
  • AB+ 2.5 percent
  • AB- 0.5 percent

The Missing Type campaign runs in Canada until August 28 and last year the global program provided 14.7 million units of blood.

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