Every donation counts.

That's the message Canada Blood Services shares in advance of their donation event in Owen Sound Wednesday, Jan. 4 at the Owen Sound Legion:

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Winter is a challenging time to collect blood, platelets, and plasma.

December through January is full of winter activities, organizations vying for the attention of consumers, weather impacts in most parts of Ontario and an influx of seasonal viruses and illness that often make it more difficult for us to staff donor centres and donation events and disrupt donor attendance.

Recent findings from a new survey suggest 62 per cent of eligible donors in Canada agree that donating blood or plasma over the holidays is important, but only 14 per cent plan on booking an appointment.

The national inventory of several blood types is far below optimal. Winter cold and flu season is upon us, our cancellation rates have jumped significantly, and we’re heading into the toughest weeks to collect blood and blood products.

Winter storms could further impact collections, and more than 25,000 open appointments must be filled across Canada by Dec. 31.

We are asking donors to book and keep their appointments or look for appointments that are open today.

Patients are waiting for new and returning blood and plasma donors to make all the difference today and throughout the winter months. Your donation could help bring someone home this winter season.

As reported earlier this year, the number of people who donate regularly has decreased by 31,000 during the COVID-19 pandemic which continues to disrupt blood supplies. Patients’ needs are still being met by the smallest donor base in a decade, but this is not sustainable.

Now is also the perfect time to rally your community or organization to give as a group through our Partners for Life program to increase the amount of blood products available for patients this season.

Every donation counts. Donors of all types help to keep Canada’s Lifeline strong.

• By contributing to Canada’s Lifeline, a simple donation could go on to save a life and change so many more. 
• Every donation causes a ripple effect that goes on to have a lasting impact in the lives of others.
• Plasma and blood donors are both essential to meet the needs of patients. Donating blood or plasma helps save lives and ensures the safety and reliability of Canada’s Lifeline.
• Cancer patients, accident victims and people with rare, life-threatening, chronic, and genetic conditions rely on blood, platelets, and plasma donations every day. 
• O-negative blood donors are especially needed because this blood type can be transfused to any patient. In times of emergency or for newborn patients, O-negative blood, the universal blood type, makes a lifesaving difference but all blood types are needed.
• Late cancellations and missed appointments make it challenging to collect blood products. If you make an appointment, please try to keep it. If you are unable to make it to your appointment, please cancel it so we can find someone to take your place and consider re-booking as soon as possible.  
• Donors who give as part of a group with our Partners for Life program contribute hundreds of thousands of donations every year. We ask all of our partners to continue their dedication to patients by rallying their members to make a special group donation this season.
• Everyone who can is encouraged to participate. Ask a family member, friend, or colleague to book an appointment to donate at the same time as you, or give in honour of patients as a group by joining or starting a Partners for Life team. Together, you can make donating blood a new meaningful tradition.
• Visit blood.ca, use the GiveBlood app, or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283) to find and blook an appointment at a donor centre near you.

The Give 3 in 2023 challenge asks people to create a lifesaving habit right away that they can continue through a commitment in 2023.

• Give 3 in 2023 is a way for people in Canada, no matter where they live, to commit to giving to others. It’s the greatest human connection we can make.
• The Give 3 in 2023 challenge asks people across Canada to commit to supporting patients in three different ways starting today, throughout the winter holidays and into the new year.
• A donation of any type doesn’t just make a difference, it makes all the difference.

It is easy to get a head start on your Give 3 in 2023 commitments. You don’t have to wait until the new year to get started, you can begin your challenge today.

Visit 3in2023.blood.ca for more details and click on the link to Give 3 in 2023. 

• Give blood, give plasma, give platelets.
• Post about your donations to social media, encouraging others to give.
• Share @CanadasLifeline social posts to spread the word on the need for more donors.
• Join the stem cell registry or register to be an organ and tissue donor.
• Give a financial contribution.
• Bring a friend to your next donation appointment.

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source: media release, Canada Blood Services