L-R: Assistant to the Deputy Chief Allan Kuprowski, Acting Deputy Chief Curtis Schaefer, and Assistant Deputy Chief Jon Evans, all with Red Deer Emergency Services. (Supplied)

By Josh Hall (Twitter: @Vancan19)

donors needed as blood inventory dwindles

First responders encouraging blood donation this month through Sirens for Life campaign

Jan 5, 2023 | 10:29 AM

Red Deer’s emergency services responders, including firefighters and RCMP, are challenging citizens to donate blood in support of this year’s Sirens for Life campaign.

The initiative, which has been around more than two decades, is looking to garner 1,152 units of blood and 88 new donors this January.

Curtis Schaefer, Assistant Deputy Chief, Red Deer Emergency Services, says, “It’s a friendly challenge between the cities and departments, but we on the frontlines all understand the importance of blood donation and how it helps people, whether it’s for medical issues, or trauma-related incidents. Blood donation saves many lives throughout the year, so to do our part, we’re very proud of it.”

Schaefer and his colleagues were at the Canadian Blood Services donor centre (5020 68 St., Red Deer) on Jan. 4 to kickstart the campaign.

Shamus Neeson, Territory Manager for Canadian Blood Services, says the organization is very proud of its relationship with first responders, in Red Deer and elsewhere.

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“Emergency service workers and first responders see on a day-to-day basis the need for blood, so when we partner with them, it’s quite impactful because we’re no longer the only people telling others it’s great to donate. People hear it from the folks who see daily why there’s a need,” says Neeson.

“The 1,152 units represent what we need to collect in January to keep up with hospital demand in Red Deer.”

Neeson explains that blood donated here does get distributed across the country wherever need is greatest, just like blood from elsewhere could be transported here.

For Neeson, the job is part convincing people to donate, and part simply informing them that they can.

“It’s been found that the number one reason people don’t donate is because they’ve never been asked to, which is why we do what we do. We’re constantly asking,” he points out.

“The ABCs of eligibility include travel, so there’s up to a year’s deferral depending where you’ve gone; there’ are medication restrictions, and you can check with one of our nurses if you’re eligible in that sense by calling 1-888-2-DONATE; and third is tattoos. You have to wait three months after getting one to donate.”

That’s why people are encouraged to donate right before getting a tattoo, he adds.

Neeson notes the national blood inventory has declined by 35 per cent since the start of October, which ties in with the pandemic, people getting sick, and winter storms and accidents.

“The amount of regular donors who used to come in has taken a dive,” he says. “The need hasn’t decreased though.”

While one in two Canadians are eligible to donate blood, just one in 81 actually do.

It’s easy to donate: donate the GiveBlood app, call 1-888-2-DONATE, or visit blood.ca.