Canadian Blood Services says 31,000 donors were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic. (Photo: LNN)

By Christian Oldale

Canadian Blood Services launches campaign looking for plasma, blood donations

May 18, 2023 | 4:13 PM

LETHBRIDGE, AB – Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is looking for more donors of blood and plasma, including in Lethbridge and the surrounding area.

According to CBS Business Development Manager Brenna Scott, about 31,000 donors were lost during the COVID-19 pandemic and CBS is looking to bring the numbers back up.

Scott said, “Every week throughout all of Canada, we need about 16,000 units of whole blood and 3,000 units of plasma donations. We need about 150 new donors each month to sustain the need across the country.”

Scott added that donations of all blood types are needed in the country, but in Lethbridge, Canadian Blood Services is just collecting plasma donations, meaning any type of blood is accepted.

Canadian Blood Services launched its Shine a Light campaign, aimed at reaching a wide audience who have never donated as they have never been asked to. The campaign comes after Canadian Blood Services reported donor participation rates dropped from just under four per cent of the eligible population to under two per cent.

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Ron Vezina, CBS’ vice-president of public affairs, said in a news release, “This is a mobilization call to people across Canada to join us in strengthening Canada’s Lifeline. You never know when someone in your life may need blood products. Your community needs you to begin donating on a regular basis.”

He added, “The reality is, there is a small group of dedicated donors filling hospital blood banks. We are grateful for their commitment, but when they aren’t able to donate, it leaves a gap. That could mean the difference between life or death for a patient.”

Anyone looking to donate can do so by downloading the GiveBlood app, visit blood.ca, or call 1-888-2DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to make an appointment.

Read more at LethbridgeNewsNow.com