Message from Canadian Blood Services

Debbi Barfoot | Apr 10, 2019

On behalf of Canadian Blood Services, I’d like to urge the residents of the County of Frontenac and area to come and join us at our community blood donor centre in Kingston.

As we head into the Easter long weekend, we are reminding the community of the need for blood and platelets. Platelets have a shelf life of only seven days, so new and returning donors are needed leading into and after the Easter long weekend to help replenish our blood inventory. Platelets are a vital blood component that helps make blood clot. One of the most common uses for platelets is to treat cancer patients. Donations often decrease around long weekends as regular donors are away or busy with family activities. Canadian Blood Services is encouraging eligible Canadians to make a lifesaving donation before or after the long weekend to help replenish our national blood inventory.

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 for several reasons. Patients, however, continue to need blood for treatment of various medical conditions. With its limited shelf life, blood is in constant demand.

We need to fill 171 appointments in Kingston between Tuesday April 16th and Tuesday April 23rd. There are numerous ways that you can book an appointment. Call 1-888 2DONATE (236-6283), download the GiveBlood app or visit www.blood.ca.

Canadian Blood Services’ clinic in Kingston operates every Tuesday from 3pm-7pm, Wednesday from 1-7pm, Thursday 9 am-1pm along with a monthly Saturday from 10 am-2 pm.

Somewhere, a patient and their family will be thankful!