Canadian Blood Services is looking to fill 45 vacant appointments in Guelph over the next three days amid an annual slump in donations that's being felt particularly acutely this year.
"There's a huge need for blood," said Gina Leyva, Kitchener-Waterloo territory manager for Canadian Blood Services.
While people usually squeeze in donations before the holidays, there's traditionally "a huge lull" between Christmas and New Year's Day as people take holidays, stay home and relax with their families, said Leyva.
"They're not thinking about donating blood, but we're open," said Leyva.
Looking at this week's numbers so far, she can see the current situation is "even worse than it was this time last year."
Uncertainty surrounding the pandemic could be to blame for the lack of donors.
"I think it's likely because everyone's kind of waiting to see what's going to happen next week," she said.
Meanwhile the need for blood "is not something we can pause or put on hold," said Leyva.
Platelets, a vital component of blood used to treat patients with serious blood disorders and those undergoing cancer treatments have a shelf-life of only seven days. As a result, regular blood donations are needed to ensure platelets are available.
As of early Thursday afternoon, seven of the 69 blood donation appointments in Guelph for that day are still open.
Seven of Friday's 69 appointments are also still waiting to be filled.
And over half the available appointments on New Year's Day in Guelph are currently unbooked, with 31 open spots.
"That's a lot of appointments to fill," said Leyva.
The public can book an appointment to give blood at blood.ca
As part of COVID-19 protocols, walk-in appointments are no longer available.
