Blood donor clinic in Wallaceburg, urgent need for blood across Canada

Morning Coffee – By Aaron Hall

Weather forecast for Thursday, March 22, 2018

Today – A mix of sun and cloud. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40. High plus 3. UV index 4 or moderate.

Tonight – Partly cloudy. Wind northwest 20 km/h gusting to 40 becoming light this evening. Low minus 6.

Blood donor clinic in Wallaceburg today

A blood donor clinic is taking place at the UAW Hall in Wallaceburg today, Thursday, March 22, 2018.

The clinic will run from 2:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.

Visit blood.ca to make an appointment or call 1-888-2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Donate now: urgent need for blood across Canada continues

Canadian Blood Services continues to urge eligible Canadians to give blood as the national inventory and days on hand of several blood groups remain at critically low levels.

“We’ve had an increase in donations across Canada since Feb. 20 when we urged 35,000 new and returning donors to give blood,” says Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services’ chief supply chain officer.

“We’re pleased collections in many areas have improved, but floods in Ontario and a late snowfall in B.C. hampered our efforts to replenish the national blood supply to levels we need. With less than a week to go in our urgent call for blood donors, we still have thousands of open appointments to donate blood,” he says.

Given its short shelf life, the need for blood is constant.

Cancer patients, accident victims and people with blood disorders rely on blood transfusions every day.

More regular donors are needed to maintain a strong national inventory of blood and blood products. Less than four per cent of eligible donors give blood each year.

“Many Canadians have stepped up to help patients by donating blood or asking someone to donate on their behalf and more are needed,” says Prinzen. “Spring is a time for renewal and celebrating life. We hope people remember that developing a habit of including blood donation in your routine is one of the most direct ways you can help someone.”

Making an appointment to donate has never been easier. To find a nearby donation site visit blood.ca, download the GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1 888 236-6283). Walk in appointments are also available at all locations.

Recent clinic in Chatham-Kent

About an hour of your time could change someone’s life

It takes about an hour to make a whole blood donation — from the moment you walk through the clinic door, to the moment one of our volunteers shows you the way out.

The blood you give will be used within days to help give someone life.

Every donation counts.

“It saved my life,” says Jade, who received emergency transfusions of blood and blood products when she hemorrhaged after giving birth to her baby daughter.

“I know without a doubt that had it not been for the blood given to me that night, I would not be here today…”

Read Jade’s inspiring story, here.

Every Blood Component Has a Job To Do

Whole blood is made of several components that can be transfused separately or together to treat various conditions:

– Red blood cells carry oxygen to tissues and remove carbon dioxide through the lungs.

– White blood cells protect the body from infection. (They also, however, can carry viruses and bacteria—which is why they are removed from donated blood.)

– Platelets provide the basis for clotting, which helps control bleeding.

– Plasma is a liquid containing proteins that help fight infection and assist clotting. Plasma distributes nutrients to tissues and transports waste products to the lungs, liver and kidneys.

Do You Know Your Blood Type?

Everyone has a type, and you belong to one of four: O, A, B and AB. An additional factor — the ‘Rh factor’ — determines whether your type is positive or negative. When you donate, we test your blood to identify exactly which type you belong to. This is important because blood type not only affects who can receive your donated blood, but also which types you could receive.

About Canadian Blood Services

Canadian Blood Services manages the national supply of blood, blood products and stem cells, and related services for all the provinces and territories (excluding Quebec).

They operate an integrated, pan-Canadian service delivery model that includes leading an interprovincial system for organ donation and transplantation.

Their national scope, infrastructure and governance make them unique in the Canadian healthcare landscape.

Canadian Blood Services is regulated as a biologics manufacturer by Health Canada and primarily funded by the provincial and territorial ministries of health.

Canadian Blood Services is a not-for-profit charitable organization.

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If you have a suggestion, story idea, column idea, or if you want to say hello… drop me an e-mail at aaron@sydenhamcurrent.ca.

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