(Lethbridge News Now)

By Justin Goulet

Canadian Blood Services makes plea for donations over the holidays

Dec 15, 2020 | 9:12 AM

EDMONTON, AB – Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is asking for the help of all eligible donors this holiday season.

CBS says there are still more than 15,000 open appointments across the country that need to be filled by December 31. The agency says statutory holidays mean there are less days to donate, putting platelet inventory at risk. Donated blood lasts about 42 days, but platelets that are more commonly used to treat cancer patients have a short expiry of seven days.

“The COVID-19 pandemic will weigh heavily on donors’ thoughts and behaviours this year, but the need for blood remains the same,” read a release from Canadian Blood Services.

“Donor centres remain open to allow Canadian Blood Services to continue to provide essential products and services for patients throughout the pandemic and leaving home to give blood is allowed even during lockdown.”

Donor centres will be open on Boxing Day and New Year’s Day, in addition to regularly scheduled operating hours. Due to COVID-19 protocols, appointments are needed to ensure proper social distancing can be maintained.

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“Safety is our highest priority. Enhanced wellness measures are in effect throughout all our donor centres to ensure the wellbeing of donors and our teams is safeguarded,” says Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.

“Not all connections can be virtual during COVID-19. We’re grateful to donors and frontline workers who have helped maintain an adequate level of blood products for patients since the onset of the pandemic. But the demand for blood never stops, even over the holidays.”

CBS cited the story of Edmonton’s Rachelle Drummond as one that may inspire someone to donate. Drummond was diagnosed with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) when she was five years old.

Rachelle Drummond with her family at age 5 (Canadian Blood Services)

During almost three years of chemotherapy, she required countless blood transfusions and spent the holiday season and a birthday at the Stollery Children’s Hospital. Drummond is currently working toward a career in pediatric medicine.

“I am now 14 years cancer-free and so grateful to blood donors for the role they played in my recovery,” she stated in the CBS release.

Rachelle Drummond now (Canadian Blood Services)

“I encourage all eligible Canadians to join the community of donors that help patients like me this holiday season and onward.”

Further details on booking an appointment and the blood donation process can be found at blood.ca.