(OTTAWA) Canadian Blood Services is hoping to tap into the generous spirit of the holiday season as it faces a severe shortage of blood and plasma after a winter storm halted donations for a few days.
High winds, snowfall and freezing conditions that have hit many parts of the country have caused appointment cancellations. Due to the disruptions that affected the planned collection clinics, approximately 1,500 blood and plasma donations did not take place, approximately 10% of what was planned.
“Currently, we have three or four days’ supply of several blood groups. The ideal level is between five and eight days,” said Rick Prinzen, general manager of supply chain and vice president of donor relations, in a press release.
There is a critical need for platelets for patients undergoing cancer treatments and type O-universal blood especially needed for neonates and emergencies.
As winter drags on, bad weather can keep people from getting to appointments and lead to more road accidents and other traumatic events, the agency said, increasing the demand for blood.
As for Héma-Québec, their most recent advertising campaign also indicates that they need donors. Several collection activities, both mobile and in the “globule” centres, are maintained.
The organization also announced on social networks that more than 20,000 new blood donors responded this year.
Canadian Blood Services said it has lost about 31,000 regular donors since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. Since October, the national blood supply has shrunk by more than 35%.
The donor base is now the smallest in a decade, and while patient needs are being met, the agency warned that “this situation is not sustainable”.
“We can and will turn things around, but we need donors to fill all available appointments,” Prinzen said.
“Remember that donating blood or plasma is another way of giving a part of ourselves to help others,” Prinzen said.
As winter progresses, the organization says the situation could get worse, with donors unable to get to their appointments due to bad weather.
This dispatch was produced with financial assistance from the Meta Exchange and The Canadian Press for News.