The Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is on the lookout for new faces—and arms—to come out to its spring donor clinic slated April 26-27 at Fort Frances High School.
Spokesperson Harvey Heather said yesterday that CBS would like to see at least 30 new donors over the two-day clinic here, not only to meet the increasing demand for blood but to help replace any past donors who no longer may be able to donate anymore due to health reasons or possibly having passed away.
CBS has set a two-day goal of 400 donors for the clinic here, and is hopeful people will get the message that there’s a high demand for their blood.
“Canadian Blood Services looks after 91 hospitals in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario,” noted Heather. “We need 1,700 units per week to meet the demand, and we try to keep enough on hand to supply them each for four days.”
As people are living longer these days, more blood is needed for surgical and transplant procedures, he added.
Heather said a recent survey of Canadians showed 52 percent of people either personally required, or had a member of their family require, donated blood in the past year while 75 percent at least knew someone who did.
But only four percent of eligible donors in Canada give blood, he stressed.
The rate is between five and seven percent for residents in Great Britain and New Zealand.
“As the need continues, this [low rate of donors] becomes a concern,” said Heather.
While 400 donors is the goal for the two-day clinic April 26-27, hopefully that many units of blood actually is donated.
Heather clarified the number of donors does not always equal the number of units. On average, just under 15 percent of people who come out for the clinics are advised not to donate (either for their own safety or the safety of others).
The spring and fall blood donor clinics held here last year saw 795 donors give a total of 694 units of blood.
The blood donor clinic will run from 4:30-8:30 p.m. on Wednesday, April 26. It will continue from noon-3 p.m. and then 5-8:30 p.m. on Thursday, April 27.
To make an appointment, call 1-888-2DONATE or visit www.blood.ca
While on the CBS website, younger people may want to check out a link to a new contest sponsored by Yahoo Music Canada and Dell called “Don’t Miss A Beat.”
Listen to music tracks on the site, identify the songs and artists as fast as you can, and enter the contest for a chance to win prizes, such as free music downloads, MP3 players, or even an HDTV.
Those who give blood here April 27-28 also will get a coupon giving them extra chances to win prizes.
“It’s kind of a thank you to people,” said Heather.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
