Thousands of blood donations needed before end of year, says agency
Snow and cold weather hampering donations this winter
Canadian Blood Services says snowstorms, freezing rain and unexpected snowfall across the country have hampered efforts by many to give blood this winter.
The non-profit organization says about 26,000 more donors are needed across Canada before the end of the year.
"We are a little nervous today," Cherise Louie, a spokeswoman Canadian Blood Services in B.C., said Tuesday.
The need for blood is linked to the hospital orders the agency receives — and anticipates — from across the country, Louie said.
Canadian Blood Services says while there has been some pick-up, the need is still high.
Last week, Canadian Blood services lost close to 2,000 donations in a few days alone, because of poor weather and a holiday lull.
"We do have about 30 or 40 appointments needed, so we do need more donors [to come in]" Louie said from the Oak Street blood donor clinic in Vancouver.
Saving lives
Barbara Crichton has always donated blood, but after her son had a liver transplant, she was spurred to do more. Chrichton now volunteers at the blood donor clinic each week.
"I'm just so thankful to everyone who donates," Crichton said.
For Bruce Nolte, who has donated blood 181 times, getting a needle in the arm and watching the blood flow into a bag has become commonplace.
"Knowing that people need blood, and it can be used for everything from surgeries to newborns, well, it goes to save lives," Nolte said.
"Every time you give, it can save lives.".
To find the donor clinic closest to you and the hours it is open, visit:
https://blood.ca/en/blood/clinic-hours#blood