Innisfail residents are being asked to roll up their sleeves and give the gift of life.
“Giving blood is easy,” said Davida Delidais of Canadian Blood Services. “You must be 17 years and older and be in good general health.”
The next blood donor clinic takes place from 3:30 to 7:30 p.m. on May 9 at the Innisfail Library/Learning Centre.
“We had an excellent turnout at Innisfail's last clinic,” she said, noting people can donate blood every 56 days.
Blood donor clinics are held across Central Alberta on a regular basis and blood collected during clinics is used in a variety of ways, including blood transfusions, for cancer patients and people requiring surgery.
Donors provide 481 millilitres or one unit of blood (just under two cups) each time they give, noted Delidais.
“So often a car accident victim could use up to 50 units of blood,” she added.
Susan Matsumoto, director donor relations, for Alberta, Saskatchewan and NWT, said there is a greater need for donors with type O blood, but all donors are encouraged to get involved.
Future blood donor clinics are scheduled for Aug. 1 and Oct. 3 in Innisfail.
To give blood, people are encouraged to make an appointment by calling 1-888-2-donate (236-6283), download the GiveBlood app or visit www.blood.ca
