This week is Blood Donor Week across Canada.
While the COVID-19 outbreak continues, blood donations are still needed.
In a statement, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer, Rick Prinzen, says blood demand has returned to near pre-COVID-19 levels.
“Demand for blood in the last two weeks has returned to near pre-COVID-19 levels as hospitals resume elective surgeries and procedures that were put on hold due to the pandemic. Meanwhile, to maintain physical distancing and other safety measures in our donor centres, how much blood we can collect across the country is currently at 90 per cent. This gap is drawing down the national blood supply and we need donors to help replenish it by filling all available slots,” says Rick?Prinzen, Canadian Blood Services chief supply chain officer and vice-president of donor relations.
“As the provinces bring their health systems back and activities pick up, the need for blood, stem cells and plasma donors will increase. We are cautiously building capacity to collect donations to meet demand including extending our hours and collecting on days we are normally closed in your region. We cannot predict how many surgeries and medical procedures will occur, but we know we need donors to book and fill every available appointment over the next few weeks and months to ensure there is an adequate supply of blood products for patients in the longer term. Donors have shown incredible flexibility and commitment throughout COVID-19 and we need that to continue as demand rises over the summer months and we adjust and respond to this next phase.”
Download the GiveBlood app and join Canada’s Lifeline. Please call 1 888 2 DONATE (1-888-236-6283) or book now at blood.ca.
