Canadian Blood Services wants your stories.
The agency is collecting recipient and donor stories to share with the community through their newsletter and an upcoming six-part series on Shaw TV.
“Having a face or a story attached to where your blood donation is going really helps inspire people to donate blood,” said Kaelyn Smith, blood service community development co-ordinator. “It kind of drives the message home where their blood is going.”
The project was launched in early October and has received lukewarm response from the community. Smith said some donors seem to be a little publicity shy but she is optimistic the stories will come.
The first of six segments is expected to be filmed by November.
Smith said they hope to expand the Red Deer donor base because they are relying on the same donors.
“We want to recruit new donors and maybe those who have not donated in a few years and get them back into the habit,” said Smith.
“Fifty-two per cent of people say that they or themselves have known someone who has needed blood.”
Smith said the need for blood touches a lot of people but getting people to talk about it is the challenging part.
To share your story, contact blood services at 403-755-4336 or email kaeyln.smith@blood.ca.
Canadian Blood Services recently extended hours at the Red Deer clinic to: Mondays from 3 p.m. to 7 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 11 p.m. to 7 p.m. and Fridays and Saturdays from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m.
The clinic is located at 5020 68th St.
To donate blood, call Canadian Blood Services at 1-888-2-DONATE (236-6283).
crhyno@www.reddeeradvocate.com