On behalf of Canadian Blood Services and territory manager Stephanie Wilkinson, I send heartfelt thanks to the Kincardine residents who give blood.

Many may already know that, currently, less than four per cent of eligible blood donors sustain the blood system for all Canadians; but, what many people may not know is that every year, close to 40 per cent of all blood donors stop donating for 12 months or more due to a variety of reasons. Yet patients do not stop needing blood for various medical conditions. Blood, with its limited shelf life, is in constant demand.

For now, and in the future, we really need more people to give blood and help keep supplies replenished. We know that approximately one in two Canadians are eligible to give blood; however, last year only one in 60 eligible donors actually did.

One of Canadian Blood Services’ priorities is to encourage more Canadians to become regular donors. We must collect 18,000 units of blood per week from donors across the country. To meet this goal, we estimate that in 2016, about 100,000 new blood donors will be needed to Give Life, replace the aging donor base and ultimately, maintain the supply. This includes 109 new donors needed in Kincardine. 

To book an appointment for the next Kincardine clinic - Wednesday, May 11, from 1:30-7:30 p.m. at the Davidson Centre - download the GiveBlood app, visit blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

Somewhere in Canada, a patient will be thankful.

Michael Betel
Director, Donor Relations, South Central Ontario
Canadian Blood Services