Blood clinic coming up

Staff
Have you made your appointment yet?
District residents once again are being encouraged to give the “gift of life” here this Wednesday and Thursday (Sept. 10-11) as Canadian Blood Services holds its fall blood donor clinic at Fort Frances High School.
The two-day clinic will run Wednesday from 4:30-8:30 p.m. and again Thursday from noon-3 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m.
More than 400 donors are needed to ensure help is provided for patients in 91 Northwestern Ontario and Manitoba hospitals, including the three here in Rainy River District.
Last fall’s blood donor clinic here saw 412 donors over the two days, who donated 345 units—43 above the quota.
To make an appointment to give blood, call 1-888-2DONATE.
CBS also will try to accommodate walk-ins, but making an appointment beforehand is preferred. Those who make appointments also are encouraged to call and cancel if they can’t make it—or send someone else to give blood in their time slot.
CBS is a national, not-for-profit charitable organization that manages the blood supply in all provinces and territories outside of Quebec, as well as oversees the Unrelated Bone Marrow Donor Registry.
On average, about 1,200 units per week are needed to meet the demand for blood, with CBS trying to keep enough on hand to supply each of the hospitals for four days. One unit (donation) of blood can benefit up to three patients.
Given people are living longer these days, more blood is needed for surgical and transplant procedures. The need for blood is rising an average of two percent each year.
More than 90,000 new donors will be needed this year to meet the rising demand for blood and blood products.