Canadian Blood Services continues to need blood donors this holiday season to help ensure blood and blood products are available for patients.
Thousands of open blood donation appointments are waiting to be filled across Canada between now and Jan. 4. Select donor centres will be open on New Year’s Day, in addition to regularly scheduled operating hours.
“The holiday period is a challenging time to collect blood. Every donation counts and new and returning donors are especially needed right now to book and keep blood donation appointments heading into the New Year,” said Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.
Canadian Blood Services is a fully vaccinated workplace with enhanced wellness measures in place throughout all donor centres. Appointments are necessary as part of the COVID-19 protocol.
Prinzen said Canadians have been dedicated donors throughout the pandemic, and that needs to continue.
“There is a lot of uncertainty during a pandemic, but there are always patients in need of blood and blood products. With the exception of any temporary COVID-19 related suspensions of donor centre operations, we will remain open to ensure essential products and services are available for patients.”
The agency said all blood types help patients, but O-negative blood is especially needed by hospitals because it is the only type compatible with all other blood types. When seconds count, and there’s no time to check blood type, hospital patients in an emergency can all receive O-negative blood.
To book or change a blood donation appointment today, locate a donor centre, check eligibility to donate blood and more, download the GiveBlood app or visit blood.ca.