It’s National Blood Donor Week and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is desperately looking for new recruits.
The organization that oversees the collection and distribution of blood products around the country is down 31-thousand donors since the beginning of the pandemic. According to a spokesperson that is putting a strain on the current donor base.
The organization says patients depend on new donors coming forward and hopes it can attract 100-thousand new people during its recruitment campaign.
Officials put out a call to all new and existing blood donors in May saying patients across Canada need donors now more than ever.
Locally, CBS is holding a donation clinic Friday, June 24th at the Knights of Columbus Hall at St. Peter’s Church (52 Church Street, Parry Sound) from 1:30 PM to 6:30 PM
CBS says if you find that a clinic is initially full, please save the date and keep checking back because same-day appointments are often available. Officials say they’ve been seeing a high number of last-minute cancellations on the day of the clinic so there are often open appointments that can be booked on the morning of the event.
The organization says every donation appointment this spring needs to be filled, adding that without the ongoing dedication of blood donors, patients in Canada wouldn’t have access to lifesaving care where and when they need it.
***With files from Wendy Gray