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Summer blood donors needed

You may be on vacation, but the need for the gift of life doesn't take a holiday.
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Canadian Blood Services is activating the Blood Signal and is asking eligible Canadians to donate blood now.

Over the next two weeks, 17,000 more donors are needed nationwide, including 3,088 in the B.C. and Yukon.

The summer months are challenging for Canada’s blood system as donors change their routines, take vacations, and are involved with outdoor activities – donating blood is not always top of mind.

With lower than expected collections through the end of June and the first two weeks of July, coupled with constant hospital demand, donors are in demand.

“With summer activities and vacations we find that our booked appointments drop and looking out two weeks there’s not enough relief in sight,” says Ed Yee, Director of Donor and Clinic Services for the B.C. and Yukon region of Canadian Blood Services. “The reality is that the need for blood does not take a summer vacation and we need more Canadians to book an appointment now. Patients in hospitals still require transfusions of blood products for surgeries, cancer treatments and other procedures.”

Just one person who is seriously injured in a car crash could need as many as 50 blood donations to help save their life.

“Our national inventory means that no one is currently going without blood and we can draw on its reserves so that patients who need blood continue to get it," says Yee. “We do, however, need to replenish our blood supply after a challenging start to the summer and are calling on donors from the B.C. and Yukon areas to donate.”

Canadian Blood Services is encouraging donors who already have an appointment to make every effort to keep it. To book an appointment, please visit  www.blood.ca or call 1-888-2-DONATE (1-888-236-6283).

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.