Despite a notable increase in blood donations over the past few weeks, Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is still short of the amount of blood it needs to collect before July.
In late April, CBS announced the need for 200,000 blood donations by July. And while thousands of donors answered the call, hospital patients still need another 100,000 donations over the next seven weeks to get through the summer months.
In a news release, Canadian Blood Services said a combination of factors, including new donation rules to protect the blood supply from the Zika virus and missed appointments, led to fewer donations and added pressure on Canada’s blood supply.
Donors can sign up to receive an SMS text message to remind them of their appointment, and walk-ins are also welcome at all clinics. In some cases, clinic hours have been extended to help more people donate.
To make a difference and save a life, CBS is asking people to:
- Book and keep your next appointment.
- Invite a friend, family member or coworker to donate with you. Almost all first-time donors bring a friend for support.
- Walk into a clinic and donate on the spot.
For a list of current clinics or for more information, visit blood.ca or download the mobile app.
