Nova Scotia

Canadian Blood Services needs donations from 8,000 Nova Scotians

Canadian Blood Services says donations have fallen during July and August.

'This summer has been worse than other summers,' says spokesman

Donations of blood drop in the summer, Canadian Blood Services says. (CBC)

Canadian Blood Services says donations have fallen during July and August.

According to CBS, 32,000 people are needed to roll up their sleeves between now and Labour Day.

The organization cites the fact that many people's routines are disrupted during the summer months, and that regular donors haven't been dropping in as often.

'Worse than other summers'

In Halifax, CBS says 2178 new donors are required to meet needs, and nearly 8,000 across Nova Scotia.

"This summer has been worse than other summers," Atlantic Canada donor relations director Peter MacDonald said.

"What we've seen in July and August is that we've tracked about eight per cent behind in collections from where we were a year ago."

'Next generation of blood donors'

MacDonald said he wants to keep blood donations top of mind as Labour Day approaches.

"It's also a call out to the next generation of blood donors," he said.

"We need the next generation to take up the cause and consider blood donation as a regular part of their routine."