Canadian Blood Services pleads for donors amid spike in demand
Posted July 6, 2021 11:26 am.
Last Updated July 6, 2021 11:28 am.
Canadian Blood Services is looking for your help to replenish the blood bank.
As COVID-19 restrictions ease and surgical procedures ramp up, the organization is calling for an additional 23,000 donors by the end of the month to meet the rising demand.
“As COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease and we move into a “new normal,’ the need for blood is rising due to increasing demand and missed or unfilled blood donation appointments,” Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations, explained.
“Attendance at collection centres is starting to slip as COVID-19 restrictions ease in many areas. Canadians are enjoying greater freedom after months of following COVID-19 safety measures, while hospitals are tackling a backlog of medical procedures.”
Aside from an increase in surgical proceedings, Canadian Blood Services said the summer typically leads to more blood transfusions due to a higher number of serious personal injury collisions on the road.
The service said there is a specific need for donors with the universal O-negative blood type, however they are welcoming donors of all blood types to sign up.
In Ontario alone, there are more than 9,000 appointments to fill by July 31.
