Long weekend heroes needed in Red Deer this Canada Day and through summer

Jun 30, 2022 | 12:41 PM

As the July 1 long weekend approaches, Canadian Blood Services is encouraging new and returning donors in Red Deer to support patients this summer by booking and keeping appointments to donate blood, platelets, and plasma.

Organization officials say long weekend heroes will be needed through the summer and long weekends. To kick-off the call for summer heroes, and as a token of appreciation for blood donors who show up for patients, red and white t-shirts will be available this July 1 long weekend at all centres and mobile events (while supplies last).

At #5 5020 68 Street in Red Deer, there are 140 open appointments to fill at donation events that run:

Thursday June 30 from 2 – 7 p.m.
Friday July 1 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.
Saturday July 2 from 9 a.m. – 2 p.m.

During the pandemic, officials note the number of people who donate regularly has decreased by 31,000, resulting in the smallest donor base in a decade.

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“We are grateful for those donors who have shown up to donate blood, platelet, and plasma over the past few weeks. However, we need more than 100,000 new blood donors in Canada this year to keep up with demand,” say Canadian Blood Services officials.

Patients are said to be relying on new and past donors to make lifesaving donations a part of their routine as people across Canada resume pre-pandemic activities. Donors are needed before, during or after all long weekends this summer to ensure patient needs continue to be met.

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

“Whether you give blood, platelets, and plasma, or register to be a stem cell, organ, and tissue donor – show up and give like lives depend on it, because they do,” encourage officials.

You can book now on blood.ca, by using the GiveBlood app or by calling 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

by rdnewsNOW Staff

Long weekend heroes needed in Red Deer this Canada Day and through summer

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