There are still plenty of open appointments for the town's first blood donor clinic of 2013.
Innisfail's first clinic of the year is being held tomorrow (Jan. 16) at the Innisfail Legion Hall from 3:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. It is being sponsored by the legion, Innisfail Legion Ladies Auxiliary, Subway and Tim Hortons.
Kaelyn Smith, community development coordinator for Canadian Blood Services ñ Red Deer (CBS), said the target is 77 units. She said last week there are still 30 open appointments available, along with additional walk-in slots.
CBS organizes six clinics a year in Innisfail. The last one was held Nov. 21. Locals donated a total of 84 units.
ìSometimes we have collected in the 90s so it was about average,î said Smith. ìStarting in April our targets will be bigger so we want to get more people to start donating.î
This year's blood donor clinic drive by CBS follows a successful holiday campaign across Canada called ìGive a Holiday Miracleî.
In Red Deer alone, more than 1,000 units were collected for patients who spent their holidays receiving cancer treatment or underwent life-saving surgery and emergency care.
ìCanadian Blood Services is asking residents of Innisfail to keep the miracles flowing into 2013 by resolving to give blood regularly,î said Smith. ìI've heard from people who say they'd like to give blood but they can't get around to doing it. Some people even think they don't need to donate because someone else will do it. The reality is that the demand for blood is growing.î
She said there is an ìurgentî need for donations of O negative blood, which is universal.
ìO negative is the only blood type that is compatible with all others and is used in the most critical situations - for neonates, patients with compromised immune systems, and for trauma victims,î said Smith. ìOur national inventory of blood means that no one is currently going without blood and we can draw on our reserves so that patients who need blood continue to get it. However, we need the help of Canadians from coast to coast to replenish our O negative blood supply now.î
CBS is asking anyone who is considering donating blood to call 1-888-236-6283 to book an appointment.
CBS operates 42 permanent collection sites and more than 20,000 donor clinics annually.
