‘Concerning’ shortage of blood donors in Winnipeg
Posted July 23, 2023 5:41 pm.
Last Updated July 23, 2023 8:00 pm.
Winnipeggers are being asked to give the gift of life, as the supply of blood draws low in the city and across the country.
Canadian Blood Services is putting out an urgent call for blood donors in Winnipeg, as blood bank levels dip to concerning levels. The organization saying hundreds of appointments need to be filled as it sounds the alarm about the lack of blood donations.
“Going into this weekend we did have concerning levels of blood and blood donations and upcoming appointments that were booked,” said Gayle Voyer, the associate director of donor relations with Canadian Blood Services.
“Our current donor base is really not sustainable.”
There’s an immediate need for A-positive, A-negative, B-negative, O-positive and O-negative blood types. In Winnipeg alone there are 475 appointments to fill until the end of July, with thousands more needing to be filled across the country.
“What happens during the summer is that we see our donors get out of routine,” said Voyer. “We have seen a high number of cancelled appointments as well, as people get out of those routines.”
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CityNews spoke to some Winnipeggers who have been faced with certain obstacles.
“A few years ago I had a blood transfusion, which prevented me from giving blood,” one person said.
“I tried to many years ago and I fainted and so I’ve just never gone back again,” said another.
“I donated blood in the past but I haven’t gotten around to it in a few years,” added a third. “The pandemic did not help.”
Voyer says as people wait, the need for donations grows.
“There’s always patients in need,” said Voyer. “The need for blood is constant and we get to the concerning levels of inventory, it can have impact on patients.”
Those looking to donate must be 17 and over. Other eligibility requirements along with locations and operating hours are available on the Canadian Blood Services’ website.
“You are needed and we want to continue to serve patients in the hospitals and for those families who are going through difficult times,” said Voyer.
