Canadian Blood Services still needs more than 300 Central Albertans to give blood in the next two weeks.
On Feb. 20 Canadian Blood Services announced it needed more than 35,000 donors by March 10 across the country. For Central Alberta more than 600 donors were needed.
“We’re making up ground. As of today we’re sitting at 343 still needed,” said Shaun Richer, Canadian Blood Services territory manager for Red Deer and Central Alberta, on Monday.
A mobile clinic will be held at the Lacombe Memorial Centre today from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. About 50 out of more than 100 appointments still need to be filled.
He said blood supply was down because spring break meant people were busy so fewer were able to donate. Bad weather has also been a factor and donations are needed to replenish the supply.
“Out east they’ve been suffering through some big storms where it’s gotten so bad where they’ve had to close down (blood clinics) completely. That obviously affects our organization across the country,” Richer said.
Hospital patients rely on donors 12 months of the year, he said.
The Red Deer clinic is open 3 to 7 p.m. Tuesday to Thursday, 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday and Saturday. It’s closed Sunday and Monday.
To book an appointment go online at blood.ca, download the GiveBlood app., or call 1-888-236-6283.