Canadian Blood Services is looking for some new blood to help them reach their goal of 75 donations at this week’s blood donor clinic in Innisfail.
Kaelyn Smith, a spokesperson with Canadian Blood Services in Red Deer, said the organization will be looking to younger potential donors to help them reach their targets. Smith said the group is planning on hosting “typing” events with Innisfail Jr./Sr. High School students sometime in January in order to help them discover their blood type.
“Right now we’ve been out to a few trade shows,” Smith said. “We try to get out in the community and get our information out there and approach people who may or may not have thought about donating blood before.”
Smith said Canadian Blood Services typically sees an increase in donors around the holidays.
“It’s kind of that holiday spirit – people trying to get out and give something back,” she explained. “So you do see a little bit of an increase over the holidays with the new donors, which is always great.”
With Canadian Blood Services needing to attract about 14,000 new blood donors across the province this year in order to continue to meet patient needs, Smith said the challenge becomes keeping those holiday donors giving throughout the year.
Alberta residents between the ages of 45 and 54 continue to make the majority of donations and as that group ages many will be unable to continue donating blood, while others will become the very patients in need. First time donors over the age of 61 and regular donors over the age of 71 will need medical permission from their doctor before donating.
“Just to make sure they’re in good health,” Smith said. “It’s more for the donor’s sake.”
Tomorrow’s clinic at the Innisfail Legion Hall runs from 4:30 p.m. until 8 p.m. Prospective donors are asked to call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) for more information or to book an appointment, which are recommended in order to help reduce wait times.
Smith said there are 19 appointments available, as well as 14 walk-in slots.
“We have certain demands from the hospitals that order blood products from us – we want to know we have enough blood to supply them with,” she said. “And we know that by booking our appointments in advance.”
