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By rdnewsNOW Staff

266 appointments to be filled

Canadian Blood Services says Red Deer donors needed before the holiday long weekend

Mar 30, 2023 | 4:52 PM

The Canadian Blood Services says that donors are highly needed in Red Deer to ensure patients have the blood they need this holiday long weekend.

They say there are more than 7,000 open appointments across Canada that must be filled by April 10 to replenish supplies and continue to meet patient needs. As of Wednesday, there were 266 appointments to be filled in Red Deer.

“The need for blood products never stops, especially during a long weekend,” officials said in a release. “With the Easter public holiday just around the corner, we’re reminding Canadians to make all the difference by booking and keeping lifesaving appointments to donate blood, platelets, and plasma.”

Canadian Blood Services says they are grateful to the donors who help ensure the supply of lifesaving blood and plasma remains strong to help patients like 10-year-old Olivia Blundon.

“Olivia was diagnosed with aplastic anemia and in the months that followed, she needed more than 100 blood and platelet transfusions. She has since required a stem cell transplant, has been diagnosed with thrombotic microangiopathy (TMA) and will eventually need a kidney transplant. Olivia’s condition is closely monitored, and the possibility of future transfusions remains high. Her family is counting on donors to maintain the blood supply so that she can get the blood she needs when she needs it,” they said.

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Officials say donors are needed now to grow the plasma supply and restock the reserve of blood. They state cancer patients, accident victims, and people with immunodeficiency, autoimmune and neurological disorders rely on blood, platelets, and plasma donations every day.

While there is a continuous need for all blood types, they note there is a greater need for donors who have O-negative blood because this blood type can be transfused to any patient. In times of emergency or for newborn patients, the universal blood type makes a lifesaving difference, they add.

Appointments are required and same day appointments are available every day at many donor centres and community events across the country.

Those interested can book on blood.ca, use the GiveBlood app or call 1 888 2 DONATE (1 888 236-6283).

New and returning donors are asked to book and keep their donation appointments. If unable to make it to an appointment, Canadian Blood Services is reminding donors to cancel it so that someone can take their place or to re-book into the following month.