Canadian Blood Services needs 20% more donors due to iron guidelines
New rules kick in Dec. 10 that limit women to donating blood every three months, up from two
Half the blood donors in Nova Scotia will soon be forced to donate less often because of new guidelines for iron levels.
Female donors now have to wait an extra month between donations, a move that will promote health among blood donors and ensure quality red blood cell donations, according to Canadian Blood Services.
"It's really significant," said Peter MacDonald, director of donor relations in Halifax. "If you look at where we've been in the past few years, it's about a 20 per cent increase in the amount of new donors that we need."
In the province, 20 per cent translates to 2,200 new donors that will be needed by the end of 2017 to compensate for the fewer visits by women.
Bigger challenge
While men will still be able to donate every two months, women will have to wait three. The new rules kick in on Dec. 10.
MacDonald said half of the donors in Nova Scotia are women.
"As female donors start to have a wider range between donations, it's going to exacerbate the challenge even more."
Controversial rules
While they put the call out for donors, Canadian Blood Services has faced criticism over the restrictions around donations from gay men. They must be abstinent for a year before they can donate, a waiting period that was reduced from five years in August.
MacDonald said conversations are continuing around those restrictions.
"That's a separate question that will continue to come forward, but at this point in time outside of that particular stakeholder group of the LGBTQ community, there are lots of opportunities for folks to step up and become blood donors," he said.
"One in two Canadians who are eligible to give blood and only one in 60 who actually do."
Remembering the recipients
He said Canadian Blood Services will be focusing on encouraging those who are sitting on the fence to walk through the door.
"I think it's also opportunity for those folks out there to turn their good intention into action. The blood system is something that Canadians should be proud of," MacDonald said.
"There's always a recipient at the end of your gift."
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