The blood donation supply in Canada is critically low because of COVID-19.
Canadian Blood Services says since the onset of COVID-19 in 2020, the donor base has dropped by 31,000 people — leaving the smallest amount of regular donors the service has had in a decade.
Approximately 400,000 Canadians donate the life-saving liquid on a regular basis, they say, but because blood has a shelf life, it’s still not enough.
It’s vital that we keep Canada’s Lifeline going. And that means we need new and returning donors to show up for patients, book and keep their appointments. Blood, platelet, & plasma donors are needed now, next week and in the months to come. Visit https://t.co/5GYQfKNECs to book https://t.co/Ql2TLi0Ebz
— Canadian Blood Services (@CanadasLifeline) June 13, 2022
Demand for blood is spiking back up this year as surgeries that were postponed due to COVID-19 are getting underway.
The organization hopes to recruit 100,000 new donors this year.
It’s pushing that message as we enter National Blood Donor Week from June 12-18.
According to Canadian Blood Services website, they’ve reached 7 per cent of their goal.
