Canadian Blood Services seeking 28K more donors as demand spikes

Canada’s healthcare system is in need of thousands more blood donations this summer to help tackle the backlog of procedures cause by the pandemic.

Canadian Blood Services is calling for 23,000 blood donors from across the country.

“As COVID-19 restrictions gradually ease and we move into a “new normal”, the need for blood is rising due to increasing demand and missed or unfilled blood donation appointments,” said Rick Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations, in a press release.

In addition to greater demand as surgeries ramp up, Canadians who’ve scheduled appointments to give blood are likely to miss them as COVID-19 restrictions ease and people have greater choice for what to do with their time, he added.

“There’s an immediate need for new and returning donors to fill all open appointments to meet demand and support patients’ needs this summer. Patients in your community and across Canada need your help right now and, in the weeks, and months ahead,” said Prinzen.