When you donate blood or plasma this holiday season, you will make all the difference for patients in your community and across the country. There is no substitute for donated blood or plasma, and patients across Canada are depending on these life essentials every day. Donors are needed every week, even during the holidays to ensure hospitals have the vital products that are needed for everyday care and for emergencies.
It is typically more challenging to collect blood during the last two weeks of December, but that is when donations are especially needed. With the timing of statutory holidays, regular collections schedules are interrupted, so it is important that every available appointment is filled on the days when donation centres are open. Platelets – which are part of every blood donation – have a shelf life of only seven days. They are a vital blood component that helps make blood clot. One of the most common uses for platelets is to treat cancer patients. To make sure there is a steady supply of platelets, every available blood donation appointment needs to be filled.
It takes thousands of blood and plasma donors to save the lives of patients across Canada. Don’t count yourself out! We are continuously reviewing and updating our donor screening criteria. You may be eligible now, even if you weren’t before. There are many ways to support Canada’s Lifeline. Become a blood, platelet, or plasma donor. Join the stem cell registry and register your intent to donate organs and tissues, make a financial gift, or volunteer your time. Financial donors make a difference. Just like vital blood and plasma donors, financial donors help save and transform lives through their generosity. Whether it’s by fueling recruitment of more first-time blood and plasma donors who help patients today, or driving research that will transform lives of patients tomorrow, financial donors impact lives across Canada every year. When you are part of Canada’s Lifeline, giving a little means a lot.
If you make an appointment, please try to keep it. Missed or cancelled appointments at this time of year are difficult to fill. If your plans change, and you are unable to make it to your appointment, please cancel it so that we can try to find someone else to take your place.
Recent changes to donation criteria mean that many people who weren’t able to donate in the past, might be able to now.
Book an appointment now by downloading the GiveBlood app, calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or booking online at blood.ca.