Murray Wood: Who's scary... and who's scary good?
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Canadian Blood Services (CBS) recently revealed it’s struggling with blood donation numbers across the country, and that message is being echoed in Saskatchewan.
“COVID-19 has challenged Canadian Blood Services like never before,” said Lisa Beechinor, the Saskatoon territory manager for CBS.
“We currently have the smallest donor base in a decade. We’ve had a 31,000(-person) decrease in our regular donors and we need 100,000 new donors in Canada to make sure patient needs are met.
“In Regina, there is a need for 1,300 new donors this year. In Saskatoon, we currently need 1,500 new donors this year.”
Beechinor says the lack of donations impacts CBS and the province’s health-care system greatly.
“With a smaller regular donor base, we need to ensure we have new donors to replenish our national inventory to continue providing lifesaving products when needed,” she explained.
According to Beechinor, blood only has a shelf life of 42 days, which is why it’s important to consistently be replenishing the national supply with blood from new donors.
Beechinor says work is underway to get people back through the doors and donating blood.
“We call out to past donors to see if they’re interested in donating and we’re strongly encouraging anyone who’s ever considered donating blood to step up and donate now,” she stated.
CBS says there are plenty of people who can step up to donate blood. In Regina and Saskatoon, one in two people are eligible to donate blood.
Beechinor suggests blood donations can get back to pre-pandemic levels with COVID now on the back burner.
“We’ve been very lucky with Canadians and they step up and help when they’re needed,” she said. “I’m sure with the call out to Canadians, there will be an increase in blood donations, but it is not something that’s just a one-time thing, It is a consistent need for blood.
“So we need people to make it top of mind and make sure we’re replenishing our blood inventory levels at all times. Just make it a part of your daily life.”
