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BLOOD AND PLASMA NEEDED

Canadian Blood Services calls for donations

Jul 31, 2024 | 10:07 AM

Canadian Blood Services is calling for residents to donate blood and plasma this long weekend, as donations are said to be falling short of hospital demands.

The organization says hospitals have the blood they need today, but that could easily change without additional donations.

The donor centre in Red Deer has 172 open appointments for August 2-3.

Canadian Blood Services officials say one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood, yet only one in 76 donates. They say more new donors are needed to keep pace with the growing demand for blood and blood products.

While donors of all blood types are needed, officials note it is particularly vital that people with group O-negative, O-positive or B-negative donate as soon as they can.

Recent changes to donation criteria means that many people who weren’t able to donate in the past might be able to now.

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