The Canadian Blood Services are asking Canadians to roll up their sleeves and donate some blood.
They say more than 100,000 new blood donors are needed to meet their demands. Currently, less than two percent of the eligible population is donating blood.
Spokesperson Krysta Hanakowski says that they’ve launched a new campaign called Shine a Light to bring awareness to the need for donors and how by taking just an hour out of your day, you could save a life.
“It’s only actually 10 minutes of needle-in-arm donation. And that hour also includes 15 minutes of juice and cookies after your donation. So, it’s a pretty easy thing to do a couple times a year… just making a habit of coming in a couple times a year coming to see us and that one hour will help change or save somebody’s life,” said Hanakowski.
Hanakowski hopes that the campaign brings helps bring the younger generation out to the donation centres. Currently, most donors are older people who have made it a habit to donate regularly. Once people turn 17 years old, they’re eligible to donate blood. Hanakowski says most don’t simply because they don’t know this.
“Most people if you ask them why they don’t give blood, they’ll say they’ve never been asked or they don’t know how,” said Hanakowski. “That’s why it’s important that we’re spreading the word, spreading awareness, sharing stories, so that people do know that there is a need, and we need them to come out.”
Hanakowski said that right now, they’re still able to meet the needs of patients who require blood or plasma, thanks to a committed donor base. She’s worried though that at their current rate they won’t be able to sustain this.
“Patient needs are still being met, but they’re being met by the smallest donor base that we’ve seen in years. And that’s not sustainable. So that’s why we need more people to come back to the habit of donating or to sign up to donate for the first time,” said Hanakowski.
Men can donate every 56 days and women can donate every 84 days. Call 1-888-2DONATE to book your appointment today, or visit the blood.ca.
Comments