More than 1,500 blood donations needed in B.C. before Jan. 7: Canadian Blood Services

Alisha Openshaw has driven her twin four-year-old sons, Weston and Bennett, to B.C. Children's Hospital from their home in Langley, B.C., almost weekly over the past year and a half so they can be treated for acute lymphocytic leukemia.

The family learned Weston had leukemia in April 2022. Four months later, Bennett received the same diagnosis.

Now, the pair are still in active therapy. Openshaw says that each week, one of them is getting either a blood transfusion or a platelet transfusion. 

"We can't even count how many they've had over the last year and a half. It's just become routine for them." 

She said having access to blood that's been donated has been a relief for her family during a very stressful period. 

"I couldn't imagine not having that available to us." 

That's why she's so grateful for the many donors in B.C., who have taken the time to donate blood. 

According to Canadian Blood Services, more than 11,000 donations are needed between now and Jan. 7, 1,500 of which are required in B.C. That means locally, all appointments over the next two weeks must be filled to keep up with demand. 

Blood needs to be collected consistently to ensure there is a fresh supply, and platelets have a shelf life of just seven days. 

But this time of year tends to be the most challenging in terms of getting people out to donate, as folks settle into holiday mode.

"In the Lower Mainland we have a clinic open almost every day except for Sundays," said Gayle Voyer, associate director of donor relations in B.C. and Yukon.

In particular, she said, positive blood types and O negative donations are most needed. 

"If you don't know your blood type, that's okay, we will tell your blood type after you've donated once and get your donor card in the mail," Voyer said. 

Anyone interested in donating blood is encouraged to book an appointment online. Voyer said donors should make sure they drink a couple of litres of water the day before and the day of their appointment, and to ensure they've eaten at least an hour before the appointment. 

Appointments take up to an hour, Voyer said, and they take up to 500 millilitres of blood. 

Among those who donate blood is Openshaw herself. She said it's a mild discomfort that takes only a few moments, and ultimately helps save lives.

"I had never donated blood before the boys," she said.

"I had thought about it and I knew I needed to be doing it. I think it was because I just didn't have a reason, I didn't have a story to relate to. Now I do it for my boys and if people need a story, here's their story."