By Ronald Quaroni

Blood donations urged to continue despite COVID-19 concerns

Mar 16, 2020 | 12:44 PM

PRINCE ALBERT – Canadian Blood Services is continuing to urge blood donations after numerous appointments were cancelled across the country.

In a release the organization noted it needs to continue to provide blood to those most in need.

“Patients depend on these lifesaving donations,” said Dr. Isra Levy, Canadian Blood Services’ vice-president of medical affairs and innovation. “Every day they are needed for patients undergoing surgery and cancer treatment, as well as to save lives following traumas such as motor vehicle accidents.”

Blood numbers locally are still strong according to Canadian Blood Services.

paNOW learned a recent donation clinic held in Prince Albert seemed to have lower than usual numbers.

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Associate Director of Donor Relations Jennifer Dareichuk explained sometimes Prince Albert sees months that have higher donor numbers and some that are lower.

“We come to Prince Albert once a month and every month our goal is to collect 120 units of blood. One unit of blood comes from one donor. Overall Prince Albert is doing well over the last year,” Dareichuk told paNOW. “On average we’re collecting 119 of the 120 units.”

While the collection consistency may go up and down, Dareichuk noted the need for blood and new donors doesn’t change.

“We’re always in need of new donors,” she said. “Our current donor base tends to be a bit older, sometimes as people get older why they may stop donating blood, whether it’s medical or other but we need to continuously find new donors to replace them.”

Current national levels of blood are strong, but there is one need, O negative blood.

Dareichuk explained currently the organization is a little low, with less than three days of stockpile on hand.

O negative blood is the universal donor and is used in emergency situations when a patient’s blood type is not known.

When asked about COVID-19 and how the organization is handling it, Dareichuk noted Canadian Blood Services, like other organization is actively monitoring the situation. Administrators are putting plans in place to ensure blood and blood products are being supplied consistently to individuals in need.

Dareichuk urged anyone who is curious about donating or has any questions to check out their website as they always need new people to enter the system.