The Canadian Blood Services annual spring clinic here runs today from 4:30-8:30 p.m. and again tomorrow (April 24) from noon-3 p.m. and 5-8:30 p.m. at Fort Frances High School.
It’s not too late for interested donors to make an appointment by calling 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
Walk-in appointments also are welcome, although there’s no guarantee you won’t have to wait a while.
Those who’ve made appointments, but are unable to keep them, are highly encouraged to either have someone else go in their place or call CBS at the toll-free number above and cancel so that another donor can have the spot.
A two-day goal of 380 donors (300 units of blood) has been set for this year’s spring clinic.
At the pair of two-days clinics held here last April and October, 764 district residents donated a total of 648 units of blood.
Each unit can be used to assist as many as three people, so that means they potentially helped up to 1,944 patients.
CBS also would like to see more new donors at the spring clinic—not only to meet the increasing demand for blood, but to help replace any past donors who no longer may be able to donate due to health reasons or possibly having passed away.
It estimated about 90,000 new donors are needed across Canada this year in order to keep up with the demand.
CBS looks after 91 hospitals in Manitoba and Northwestern Ontario, including those here in Rainy River District. About 60,000 units of blood per year are needed to meet the demand of those facilities.
Fort Frances Times
Local News from Across the Rainy River District
