Canadian Blood Services is asking Canadians to get Behind the Blood Signal when the blood drop-shaped icon is activated during National Blood Donor Week, June 10 to 16.
The Blood Signal is intended to connect people to the idea of making a donation at specific times of the year when the need for blood is greatest – like summer. Behind the Blood Signal was chosen as this year’s theme for National Blood Donor Week to educate more Canadians that when they see the Blood Signal, it means "give blood now."
Throughout National Blood Donor Week, Canadian Blood Services is also asking Canadians to “go social” in supporting the Blood Signal by:
• Visiting Mosaic Me at http://www.mosaicme.ca/. Individuals can post pictures of themselves donating, promoting or otherwise supporting patients through blood donation that will form in the shape of the Blood Signal.
• Checking out www.facebook.com/CanadianBloodServices for the launch of a new Behind the Blood Signal video. Supporters are asked to “like” and “share” the video as a way of getting Behind the Blood Signal.
• Throughout the week donors are also encouraged to check in at blood donor clinics using their mobile devices as another way of showing they are getting Behind the Blood Signal.
Upcoming clinics in Surrey-Newton where local residents can also get Behind the Blood Signal by donating blood include:
• June 23, 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. – Ecole Gabrielle-Roy School Gymnasium, 6887 132 St.
The Surrey Blood Donor Clinic at 15285 101 Ave. is open Wednesdays and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m., Fridays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. and at the same time every second Saturday.
“During National Blood Donor Week, make a plan to get behind the Blood Signal, because hospital patients in this community rely on your generosity,” said Sarah Jasmins, partnership specialist with Canadian Blood Services. “The Blood Signal is intended to connect people to the idea of giving blood, rallying people in their communities to come together and save lives.”
This year, patients at more than 400 hospitals nationwide and 86 hospitals in the B.C. and Yukon region are depending on blood donors to help save or improve their lives from trauma, disease and other illness. In 2012-13, Canadian Blood Services shipped more than 137,000 units of red blood cells, blood plasma or platelets to B.C. hospitals to help meet patients’ needs.
Donors who give blood during Blood Signal are eligible to give again at the beginning of August. To book an appointment, go online to www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283). Making an appointment now will help lay the foundation for strong blood collections this summer.