Canadian Blood Services started long weekend celebrations early with their own version of a BYOB Party on Wednesday.
Bring Your Own Blood Party was held at the Red Deer Blood Donor Clinic, with a barbecue and prizes to encourage new donors to give blood.
Tanya Paul, community development co-ordinator, said Canadian Blood Services has extended a recent call for blood to Labour Day on Sept. 3.
“Over the next two weeks there’s about 427 open appointments to fill in the Red Deer area. We need to collect about 240 units a week to ensure that local hospitals get the blood that they need,” Paul said on Wednesday.
“It’s not a crisis. It’s more of an appeal. We are able to draw on national reserves at times like these. We’re just worried if the current trend continues that regular hospital demand will put a strain on national inventory. It’s already a little low.”
Blood donations typically drop in the summer when regular donors are too busy or on vacation.
“We really try to encourage new donors to come out in the summer.”
Red Deer Blood Donor Clinic, at 5020 68th St., is open Tuesday and Thursday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Wednesday from 2 to 7 p.m., and Friday and Saturday from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. To book an appointment visit www.blood.ca or call 1-888-236-6283.
szielinski@www.reddeeradvocate.com