Canadian Blood Services hopes people will give blood before or just after the Easter long weekend, since holidays and long weekends are traditionally a time when blood and platelet donations decrease as people travel for holidays and are busy with family activities.
Blood donor clinics in central Ontario must collect more than 115,000 units of blood this year for patients and they need your help. Giving blood is a direct way to help three patients since each donation is separated into components-red blood cells, plasma, and platelets.
Platelets are required by many patients undergoing treatment for cancer and are of particular concern around long weekends because they have a shelf life of only five days; so it is not possible to “stock up” on them.
“Celebrate Easter this month by donating blood for patients needing transfusions,” said Marg Gow community development coordinator with Canadian Blood Services. “Learn more about the importance of your donation by visiting thankyourdonor.ca for personal stories from patients and their families.”
No appointment is needed for the Mount Forest and District recreation complex clinic on April 7 from 2 to 8pm.
