PEI

Stormy weather takes toll on blood donor clinics on P.E.I.

Canadian Blood Services staff on P.E.I. are worried about a decline in the number of donors over the last few days.

Poor road conditions on P.E.I. have prevented many blood donors from getting to clinics

Canadian Blood Services staff on P.E.I. are worried about a decline in the number of donors over the last few days.

Lisa Rusk says this is the worst winter she can remember in her 15 years with Canadian Blood Services on P.E.I. (Submitted by Lisa Rusk)

The storm meant the cancellation of a clinic on the Island and now poor road conditions mean some donors have not been able to make their appointments.

Lisa Rusk, the territory manager for Canadian Blood Services P.E.I., said it has been the most difficult winter she can remember in her 15 years.

"We have had the most cancelled clinics that I can remember," said Rusk.

"Obviously the need for blood doesn't take a storm day so we have to make every effort to get in there and get those units collected."

Canadian Blood Services usually has a goal of collecting 32 units of blood during each clinic, but only 12 were collected during a clinic on Tuesday evening.

Canadian Blood Services can draw on reserves so that patients who need blood continue to receive it, but they do need to replenish the local blood supply after a winter storm.

Donors are being asked to rebook their appointments, and others are asked to consider donating blood.

To book an appointment you can call 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236 6283).