June 8 marks the beginning of National Blood Donor Week, with Canada Blood Services thanking and celebrating all of the donors who have made a contribution throughout this past year.
The national recognition takes on a special note this year as Canada Blood Services also took a moment to thank donors for their continued support through the coronavirus pandemic, and express the need for that support to continue.
Following the COVID-19 pandemic in March and April, Canada Blood Services saw a 20-per-cent increase in new donors joining the program for the first time, alongside long-time donors who remain dedicated.
“In many ways, COVID-19 turned our world upside down, but it also proved that patients in Canada can still count on the unwavering support of donors,” Rick Prinzen, chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations, said in a press release.
The pandemic actually caused a dip in the demand for blood, stem cells, and plasma across the country, but as many provincial health authorities resume elective services such as surgeries, demand is now on the rise once again.
All of the required restrictions that came with the pandemic has limited the collection capacity of the national blood bank to 90 per cent, so Canada Blood Services is asking donors to continue to help meet demand.
“We cannot predict how many surgeries and medical procedures will occur, but we know we need donors to book and fill every available appointment over the next few weeks and months to ensure there is an adequate supply of blood products for patients in the longer term,” said Prinzen.
Canada Blood Services is currently only taking donors by appointment, to ensure proper sanitation and physical distancing practices are happening. But Canada Blood Services is working to meet the incoming need for donations by increasing its capacity to collect donations and extending clinic hours in certain regions to help meet the needs of donors.
“Donors have shown incredible flexibility and commitment throughout COVID-19 and we need that to continue as demand rises over the summer months and we adjust and respond to this next phase,” said Prinzen.
National Blood Donor Week runs from June 8-14, ending on World Blood Donor Day. To celebrate donors and all they do, Canada Blood Services is encouraging donors and people who have been affected by blood donations to share their stories on social media this week, by tagging @CanadasLifeLine or using the hashtags #CanadasLifeline, #WhatsYourReason, #NBDW2020, or #WBDD.
“There are many reasons to support Canada’s Lifeline and just as many to say thank you to donors, especially during National Blood Donor Week,” says Prinzen.
Donors can book an appointment to donate using the GiveBlood app, by calling 1 (888) 236-6283, or online at blood.ca.
For a look at how Moose Jaw has adapted to the new donation requirements at Canada Blood Services, check out a related story here.
