NEWS RELEASE
CANADIAN BLOOD SERVICES
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As the August long weekend approaches, Canadian Blood Services is asking for long weekend heroes in Guelph to support patients this summer by booking and keeping appointments to donate blood, platelets and plasma.
We know summer is short in Canada and everyone is eager to soak up sun and fun, but let’s not forget about the many hospital patients who rely on donors for lifesaving treatments. Although one in two Canadians are eligible to donate, only one in 81 does. Be someone’s hero by taking an hour of time to book and keep an appointment to donate over the long weekend and help ensure patients’ needs continue to be met.
At 130 Silvercreek Pkwy N. in Guelph, there are 60 open appointments to fill at donation events that run:
- Friday, July 29 from 11 a.m. - 4 p.m.
- Saturday, July 30 from 8 a.m. - 2 p.m.
In June we reported that during the pandemic the number of regular donors had decreased by 31,000, resulting in the smallest donor base in a decade. When we asked the public for their support, they responded and made a difference. June 2022 was the third highest month for welcoming new donors since the start of the pandemic.
We are grateful for those donors, but many more are needed to support patients now and in the future, especially with the unpredictability of the pandemic. We need more than 100,000 new donors in Canada this year to keep up with demand.
Summer months are always a challenge for collections, but it is important to remember that patient need doesn’t pause for good weather. When some are enjoying cottage fun, cancer patients, accident victims and people with blood disorders are in need of lifesaving blood products.
Whether you give blood, platelets, and plasma, or register to be a stem cell or organ and tissue donor — please show up for patients and be a long weekend hero. Lives depend on it!
Book now on blood.ca, use the GiveBlood app or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).
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