Canadian Blood Services is calling for donors. (Photo Courtesy Canadian Blood Services)

By Meghan Cobb

BLOOD CLINIC IN MEDICINE HAT TODAY

‘We need your support’: Canadian Blood Services calling for people to roll up their sleeves

Jun 14, 2022 | 11:54 AM

MEDICINE HAT, AB – It’s National Blood Donor Week and Canadian Blood Services is putting out an urgent call for new donors.

According to the organization, it is experiencing the lowest number of regular donors in a decade, saying the drop is mostly caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. The number of regular donors dropped by roughly 31,000 since March 2020.

“We need 100,000 new donors over the next several months in order to sustain patient demands,” says Lisa Castro, territory manager with Canadian Blood Services. “We’re reaching out to let the public know that we need your support now.”

A donor clinic is held monthly in Medicine Hat at the Medicine Hat Lodge. An appointment is required and can be booked online at blood.ca.

“You can book out your appointments for the next year if you want,” says Castro. “But, you will see same-day appointments opening up.”

IN THE COMMUNITY

'Compassionate Friends' offer peer support for bereaved in Medicine Hat

1h ago

POSTAL STRIKE

Donations to Medicine Hat non-profits drop over Canada Post strike

1h ago

IN THE COMMUNITY

Medicine Hat's Adopt-A-Rink program still seeking volunteers

9h ago

Castro says with every clinic held in Medicine Hat, the goal is to collect 120 units of blood. That means 150 donors a day, or 300 donors over the two-day clinic.

“Right now we’re seeing one in two are eligible to give but only one in 81 does,” says Castro. “We need you to help us out and bring more support in our community for new donors.”

Men are eligible to donate blood every 56 days and women every 84.