Canadian Blood Services sounds alarm with national inventory down 25 per cent
Canadian Blood Services is pleading for eligible donors to step up as the national inventory has dropped significantly.
According to the organization, reserves have declined by 25 per cent since the beginning of April.
It says cancellations and low attendance at donor centres across the country has left it scrambling to collect blood, platelets and plasma.
"We've seen that 10 per cent increase in cancellations and missed appointments since March," said , Gayle Voyer, Canadian Blood Services associate director of donor relations for B.C. and Yukon.
"We think it comes down to maybe people not feeling well, maybe people travelling a bit more.
Voyer says they usually see a drop off in donors during the summer, which makes spring a crucial time.
"That does raise a concern because typically were building up our inventory for the demand of hospital patients as we go into the summer when we do see people get out of their routines. So, it's earlier than were expecting," said Voyer.
CBS says that one out of every two Canadians are eligible to donate blood, but only one out of every 82 does.
'BLOOD IS LIKE A CARTON OF MILK, IT ALWAYS NEEDS TO BE REPLACED'
The organization will be seeking out more donors like 27 year-old Max Proske, who tells CTV News he's now donated over 100 times.
"Every minute of every day there's someone who needs blood whether it's a leukemia patient or a trauma patient or an emergency," Proske said.
Proske said he began by giving blood as an 18-year-old but has since transitioned into giving platelets, the smallest of blood cells which are often used to treat cancer patients.
"I was inspired by my dad who is a lifelong donor and a cancer survivor," Proske said.
"We're a family of donors."
Proske would like to see his fellow Canadians step up and donate during this crucial period.
"Blood is like a carton of milk, it always needs to be replaced, if you're eligible, please book," he said.
To find out if you're eligible, you can visit the CBS website and take an online quiz.
If eligible, potential donors can book on the website or call 1-888-236 6283.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
NEW After hearing thousands of last words, this hospital chaplain has advice for the living
Hospital chaplain J.S. Park opens up about death, grief and hearing thousands of last words, and shares his advice for the living.
BREAKING Police cordon off Iran consulate in Paris where man threatens to blow himself up: French media
French police cordoned off the Iranian consulate in Paris on Friday, where a man was threatening to blow himself up, Europe 1 radio and BFM TV.
Some Canadian families will receive up to $620 per child today
More money will land in the pockets of some Canadian families on Friday for the latest Canada Child Benefit installment.
BREAKING Iran fires at apparent Israeli attack drones near Isfahan air base and nuclear site
An apparent Israeli drone attack on Iran saw troops fire air defences at a major air base and a nuclear site early Friday morning near the central city of Isfahan, an assault coming in retaliation for Tehran's unprecedented drone-and-missile assault on the country.
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer denied bail after being charged with killing Canadian couple
American millionaire Jonathan Lehrer, one of two men charged in the killings of a Canadian couple in Dominica, has been denied bail.
Ottawa to force banks to call carbon rebate a carbon rebate in direct deposits
Canadian banks that refuse to identify the carbon rebate by name when doing direct deposits are forcing the government to change the law to make them do it, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Ontario woman loses $15,000 to fake Walmart job scam
A woman who recently moved to Canada from India was searching for a job when she got caught in an online job scam and lost $15,000.
After COVID, WHO defines disease spread 'through air'
The World Health Organization and around 500 experts have agreed for the first time on what it means for a disease to spread through the air, in a bid to avoid the confusion early in the COVID-19 pandemic that some scientists have said cost lives.
Prince Harry formally confirms he is now a U.S. resident
Prince Harry, the son of King Charles III and fifth in line to the British throne, has formally confirmed he is now a U.S. resident.