Blood needed over the holidays
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A holiday gift that many of us forget to give this time of year is blood.
Donations drop significantly in December, and Canadian Blood Services (CBS) is asking people to make time for them at Christmas.
People who haven’t donated before are often nervous. Our reporter Elise Copps donated today, to give you an idea of what to expect. If you’re eligible, the process only takes about an hour start to finish.
For staff at Old Republic Insurance, donating blood is an outing with colleagues.
Marg Lefler: “It’s on my lunch hour, somebody drives me here, I don’t have to make an appointment. It’s just easy.”
Denise Saulnier of Canadian Blood Services is looking for more groups like them to fill the gaping holes in its December schedule: “They would book appointments into the clinic and then come out as a group and celebrate the special gift that they’re giving.”
Donations tend to drop off during the holidays when people are busy with shopping and parties. But the need is still there.
Whole blood lasts a maximum of 42 days so blood that was donated early in November won’t last through the holiday season.
Erin Cabarzan: ‘This is my third donation zipper pull that I was given. I’m so excited about it. It’s so silly.”
Lefler: “One day, I might need it. So today, I’m giving it.
Rob Yon: “Do your part. If you don’t give blood, you should. If you can.”
If your organization can’t come as a group, you can book an appointment after work. The clinic in Ancaster is open some evenings.
